Central Division foes will battle when the Chicago Bulls (21-43) challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers (19-45) at the United Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, and it can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls Free Preview

In the Cavaliers’ last contest, they edged the San Antonio Spurs, 132-129, despite being 4.5-point underdogs. Andre Drummond was the game’s high scorer with 28 points on 11-for-16 shooting. Cleveland played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.9 (above their season average of 24.6) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.527 (above their season average of 0.522). For those same stats, San Antonio was 11.5 and 0.490, respectively. The two teams combined to score 261 points, which finished well over the projected point total of 226.5.

Although the Bulls were topped by the Brooklyn Nets in their last matchup, 110-107, they were able to cover as 6-point underdogs. With 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Chicago’s Coby White played well. Brooklyn did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (35-41; 85.4 percent). Chicago, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 6.4 (better than their season average of 13.0). Combined, the two clubs scored 217 points, which finished just under the O/U total of 219.

These two teams have met three times already this year, with the Bulls winning three of them. Zach LaVine scored a game-high 44 points in the most recent game, in which the Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 118-106, covering as 1-point underdogs. He also had 10 rebounds and eight assists. The two teams combined to put up 224 points, which was 13.5 points above the projected point total of 210.5 points. The Bulls played a nearly perfect game. They had a superb turnover percentage of 8.6 and a free throw rate of 0.212. The Cavaliers recorded marks of 19.1 and 0.107, respectively, for those same stats.

Of Cleveland’s 64 games, 35 have finished over the projected point total, while 34 of Chicago’s 64 games have finished over the projected point total. The Bulls have the better straight up (SU) record (21-43 vs. 19-45), but both teams have similar against the spread (ATS) records. Chicago is 28-35-1, while Cleveland is 29-32-3 ATS.

The Cavaliers’ Kevin Love (21 points,9.6 rebounds,3.8 assists) and Collin Sexton (29 points,4.2 assists,1.4 steals) have been playing well over their last five games. Meanwhile, the Bulls have gotten great contributions from White (26 points,4.6 assists) and Thaddeus Young (11 points,5.6 rebounds,3.4 assists,2.8 steals).

Getting to the line might be few and far between for Chicago in this battle. The Bulls currently rank 28th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.175, while Cleveland ranks third in FTA rate allowed (0.165). Ball security could be troublesome for the Cavaliers. They rank 30th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.4 percent), while the Bulls force the most turnovers in the NBA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.3 percent).

Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls Betting Prediction

Prediction: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Over

Notes

Betting Notes:

The Bulls rank seventh in fast break points per game (14.9) while the Cavaliers rank 26th (10.5).

Chicago ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (31.8) while Cleveland ranks ninth (33.0).

Cleveland ranks 19th in rebounds per game (44.4) while Chicago ranks 29th (41.8).

Chicago ranks 27th in blocks per game (4.0) while Cleveland ranks 29th (3.2).

Cleveland is 15-12-1 ATS on the road with 15 overs and 13 unders.

At home, Chicago is 14-18-1 ATS with 17 overs and 16 unders.

Chicago and Cleveland are both 5-3 when they allow under 100 points.

In games where they score above 100 points, the Cavaliers are 18-32 and the Bulls are 21-28.

The Bulls rank 23rd in assists per game (23.2) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in assists allowed per game (26.2).

Chicago ranks first in points off turnovers per game (21.2) while Cleveland ranks last in points off turnovers allowed per game (20.0).

The Bulls rank first in steals per game (10.1) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in steals allowed per game (9.5).

The Cavaliers rank 10th in second chance points per game (13.5) while the Bulls rank 13th in second chance points allowed per game (12.7).

Chicago ranks eighth in points in the paint per game (49.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (53.6).

Bettings Trends:

Chicago is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in its last five games.

Over its past five outings, Cleveland is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.

The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.8, up from 3.2 for the season.

During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 111.8 points per game (4.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.4 points per game (1.5 above their season average).