Chicago Bulls (17-19) vs. Indiana Pacers (19-18)
January 8, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Indiana Pacers -5.5; Over/Under: 241.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s a Pacers vs Bulls Prediction. This article will include a Pacers vs Bulls Pick.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
The Chicago Bulls beat the Knicks and Spurs, and they play the Wizards, Kings, and Pelicans next. The Chicago Bulls are averaging 117.8 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 121 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Zach LaVine is averaging 23.1 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic is averaging 20.5 points and 3.3 assists. Coby White is the third double-digit scorer and Ayo Dosunmu is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The Chicago Bulls are shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc and 79.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Chicago Bulls are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers beat the Nets and Suns, and they play the Warriors, Cavs, and Pistons next. The Indiana Pacers are averaging 115.2 points on 48.8 percent shooting and allowing 116.1 points on 47.6 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 19.6 points and 7.3 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.4 points and 3.7 rebounds. Benedict Mathurin is the third double-digit scorer and Myles Turner is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 36.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Bulls have lost each of their last 13 games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Pacers have won each of their last five games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse following a win.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last five games against teams that held a losing record.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The underdogs have won five of the last six games between the Bulls and Pacers.
- The Pacers have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The road team has covered the spread in five of the last six games between the Bulls and Pacers.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.1) this season.
- Bennedict Mathurin ranks 4th in the league for fast break points (151) this season.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Zach LaVine ranks 3rd in the league for fast break points (152) this season.
- Nikola Vucevic is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging a double-double while shooting over 40% from three this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pacers rank 30th for second-chance points (370) this season.
- The Pacers rank 30th for second-chance points per game (10.0) this season.
- The Bulls rank 30th in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (18.8).
- The Bulls rank 30th in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (45.3).
Pacers vs Bulls Prediction
The Chicago Bulls have quietly won four of their last five games, and I guess that could be something to watch. I’m still not sold. The Indiana Pacers have figured things out over the last couple of weeks, and that includes a 7-3 record SU and ATS in their last 10 games. As we saw in the playoffs, the Pacers can be one of the scarier teams in the league when shots are falling and there’s somewhat of an effort defensively. I’m just not sold on the Bulls, and the Pacers dropped 132 points on their head when they clashed in December. I’ll keep rolling with the Pacers, especially when the chalk is this reasonable.
