Los Angeles Clippers at Chicago Bulls Betting Preview

A great interconference matchup takes place Friday night in the Windy City, as the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls tip-off at the United Center. The Clippers (18-8) currently reside as the No. 3 in the Western Conference, 2.5 games behind the Jazz. Meanwhile, the Bulls (10-14) are tied for the No. 10 seed in the East but sit just a game back out of being as high as the No. 6 spot.
These teams went head-to-head in Los Angeles back about a month ago on January 10th, producing one of the better games of the season. Despite a massive 45-point effort from Zach LaVine and a near triple-double for Coby White, the Clippers managed to hang on and win 130-127, led by 35 points from Kawhi Leonard and 28 from Paul George.
Here are some stats and what you need to know for Friday’s rematch, along with a free pick. Los Angeles is the road favorite in this one, listed as a 6.5-point favorite over Chicago. Tip-off is at 8:00 P.M. Eastern.
By the Numbers
Get ready to see two of the league’s best offenses. Under new head coach Billy Donovan, Chicago is averaging 115.1 points per game, fourth in the NBA, on 48.1 percent shooting. They’re also top-10 in the league in three-point shooting and fourth in true shooting percentage.
Meanwhile, L.A. has excelled under their new head coach Ty Lue, averaging 115 points, which sits fifth in the NBA, despite playing at the fifth-slowest pace in the league. That’s because the Clippers have the best team three-point percentage at 42.2 while also leading the NBA in free throw percentage. In addition, both their true shooting percentage and offensive rating are second-best in the league.
While we’ll see two good offenses, we’ll only see one strong defense. The Clippers allow the fifth-fewest points per game with 108, while the 115.8 allowed by the Bulls is the fourth-most. However, both teams allow nearly the same amount of threes per game, are almost perfectly-aligned with steals per game, and are just 1.2 points apart in team defensive rating.
Clippers Betting Preview
After back-to-back losses, the Clippers held on for a 119-112 win against the lowly Timberwolves. It was just L.A.’s second win since February 2nd when they lost a potential NBA Finals preview against the Nets.
A big part of the Clippers struggling over the last week has been the absence of George. PG-13 is dealing with a foot injury that has caused him to miss the previous three games for Los Angeles, and it will also keep him out Friday against Chicago. George has been a steady force, averaging 24.4 points on 51 percent shooting and a whopping 47.8 percent from three.
With George out, that means more of a workload for Leonard. Kawhi is up to 26.5 points per game, close to being a 50-40-90 shooter like George already has been. Leonard will take on more of the slack, as will guards like Lou Williams and Luke Kennard. The longtime sixth man Williams is coming off of 27 and 23-point performances, while Kennard is averaging just eight points but has been one of the better three-point shooters on the team.
Look for big men Serge Ibaka and Ivica Zubac to also play prominent roles for L.A. against a Bulls team missing both starting players on the frontcourt.
Bulls Betting Preview
The Bulls have won two of their last three games, most recently a historic 129-116 victory over the Pelicans. That’s because LaVine and White became the first duo in NBA history to each hit eight or more threes in a game. LaVine finished with 46 points and nine threes, while White hit eight threes as part of his 30 points.
The two of them have been huge for the Bulls lately, particularly LaVine. The 25-year old is making a strong case to be named to his first All-Star team, averaging 28.2 points per game on nearly-52 percent shooting and 42.5 percent shooting from three. He has scored 120 points over his last three games, the most over a trio of games in franchise history since Michael Jordan in December of 1997.
LaVine and the second-year guard White will likely need to be at their very best to hang with the Clippers like they did a month ago. Chicago is dealing with several injuries, particularly in their frontcourt. Lauri Markkanen, the team’s leading scorer with 19 points per game, is still out for a couple of weeks with a shoulder injury. Third-year center Wendell Carter Jr. has been sidelined for the last few weeks as well and is doubtful to play, as is Otto Porter Jr.
With three of their five leading scorers out for the game, Thaddeus Young and Patrick Williams will be a pair of players who have to step up for Chicago. Young leads the team with 5.3 rebounds to go along with 11 points, while the rookie Williams is averaging 10 points a night.
Betting Pick
Even though there is a sizable gap in record, it’s interesting to see the similarities each of these teams have in many of their stats. There are also injuries both teams are dealing with, especially to critical players like George and Markkanen. Expect the Bulls to try to push the tempo throughout the game and tire out a veteran-laden Clipper team, while LaVine hopes to continue his torrid stretch.
Ultimately, the overwhelming advantages the Clippers have in the paint should earn them the W. However, I’m picking the Bulls to keep it close.
Free Pick: Chicago Bulls (+6.5).