Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 12/31/2021

Game Time: 3:00 pm ET, Friday, December 31, 2021

Venue:  Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Where to Watch:  NBCS-CHI

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Bulls -3.5, Pacers +3.5; Over/Under:  NL points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Bulls -4.5, Pacers +4.5; Over/Under:  219 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Bulls -3.5, Pacers +3.5; Over/Under:  NL points

 

Chicago Bulls:  22-10 (1st place, Central Division)

Indiana Pacers:  14-21 (4th place, Central Division)

 

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Chicago Bulls:  8-2 last 10

Indiana Pacers:  5-5 last 10

 

 

 

The Bulls are coming into this game with a 22-10 record overall and they are 10-6 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. Their last loss was against the Miami Heat but they have gone on a 5 game winning streak since then with wins coming against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets, the Indiana Pacers, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Hawks again in their last game. Zach LaVine led the team in points in that game with 25 while DeMar DeRozan was next on the team with 20 points. Coby White led the team in assists in that game with 12 while Nikola Vucevic led the team in rebounds with 20. They were 61.9% from the field, 45.5% from 3-point range, and 77.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 110.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 106.9 PPG against them. The Bulls have an ATS record of 21-11 this season and their O/U record is 16-16.

 

 

The Pacers are coming into this game with a 14-21 record overall and they are 11-8 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They have lost 3 of their last 4 games and are coming into this one on a 2 game losing streak after another loss in their last game. Their last win was against the Houston Rockets while their 3 losses in that span came against the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and the Charlotte Hornets in their last game. Caris LeVert led the team in points in that game with 27 while Domantas Sabonis was next on the team with 15 points. Sabonis led the team in assists in that game with 7 and he also led the team in rebounds as well with 18. They were 41.9% from the field, 37.8% from 3-point range, and 65.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 107.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 107.4 PPG against them. The Pacers have an ATS record of 16-18-1 this season and their O/U record is 16-19.

 

 

The Bulls are coming into this game as a 3.5 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Bulls have been playing very well recently with 5 straight wins and their team is very healthy as they have had quite a few of their games postponed due to covid. The Pacers have not been playing well in their recent games with 3 losses in their last 4 and they are not as rested as the Bulls are coming into this game. The Bulls are still missing a lot of bench depth but they have their starters playing and more importantly they have both LaVine and DeRozan playing who are both the heart and soul of this team. The best bet to place in this game is on the Bulls to cover the spread here as they have been playing very well.

 

Bulls Pacers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, December 31, 2021 (3:00 pm ET start time) is Bulls 127 Pacers 118.

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Chicago Bulls: 21-11 ATS in all games. 10-6 ATS in road games. 20-9 ATS in December games. 21-11 ATS in the first half of the season. 5-1 ATS after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite. 14-7 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins.

Indiana Pacers: 38-46 ATS in home games. 4-7 ATS in December games. 1-6 ATS vs. division opponents. 12-23 ATS when playing 4 or less games in 10 days. 12-23 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days. 2-7 ATS revenging a same season loss vs opponent.

 

 

Chicago Bulls:  M. Simonovic (C) Out indefinitely - Illness. E. Ilyasova (PF) Out indefinitely - Illness. L. Ball (PG) Out indefinitely - Illness. T. Bradley (C) Out indefinitely - Illness. A. McKinnie (SF) Out indefinitely - Illness. A. Caruso (SG) Early Jan - Foot injury. M. Thomas (SG) Out indefinitely - Illness. A. Dosunmu (PG) Out indefinitely - Illness. P. Williams (SF) Late April - Wrist injury.

Indiana Pacers:  I. Jackson (PF) Out indefinitely - Illness. C. Duarte (SG) Out indefinitely - Illness. M. Brogdon (SG) Out indefinitely - Achilles injury. J. Lamb (SG) Out indefinitely - Illness. T. McConnell (PG) Out indefinitely - Wrist injury. T. Warren (SF) Early Jan - Foot injury.

 

 

 

"I think people realize how good (LaVine) is. I think that secret is out. He's been an All-Star and has played at an extremely high level." - Chris Fleming on his team’s win against the Hawks on Wednesday night.

 

 

"The first half was poor, really. Nine turnovers, gave up 71 points, just not good enough. I loved how we played in the second half, but for us it's about playing 48 (minutes)." - Rick Carlisle on his team’s loss against the Hornets on Wednesday night.

 

 

 

PG    Coby White

SG    Zach LaVine

SF    Javonte Green

PF    DeMar DeRozan

C    Nikola Vucevic

 

PG    Duane Washington Jr.

SG    Caris LeVert

SF    Justin Holiday

PF    Domantas Sabonis

C    Myles Turner

 

 

PPG: D. DeRozan (26.8)

APG: L. Ball (5)

Reb/G: N. Vucevic (11.2) 

 

PPG: M. Brogdon (19)

APG: M. Brogdon (6.1)

Reb/G: D. Sabonis (11.9)

 

Coaches:

Chicago Bulls: Billy Donovan (2nd season)

Indiana Pacers: Rick Carlisle (1st season)