Central Division foes will battle when the Chicago Bulls (21-41) meet the Indiana Pacers (37-25) at the United Center. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, 2020, and it can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago.

Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls Free Preview

The Pacers were blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks in their last contest, 119-100. They were unable to cover as 14.5-point underdogs. Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the contest. Milwaukee did a terrific job of making free throws (20-22; 90.9 percent). Indiana, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (12.8 vs. 13.4). The two teams combined to score 219 points, which finished just under the projected point total of 221.

In the Bulls’ last matchup, they were defeated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 115-108, and failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. Coby White was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 11-for-22 shooting. Minnesota had a much better free throw rate (0.200 vs. 0.074). Chicago, on the other hand, forced the Timberwolves into a turnover percentage of 16.5 (above their season average of 12.5). The two squads combined to score 223 points, which came in under the projected point total of 232.

These two teams have already met three times this year, with the Pacers winning all three. In the most recent matchup, Sabonis put up 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists and the Pacers defeated the Bulls 115-106, covering as 8-point favorites. The two teams combined to put up 221 points, which was 6 points above the projected point total of 215 points. The Pacers dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 31.7 and a free throw rate of 0.180. The Bulls were 15.4 and 0.118, respectively, for those same stats.

Of Indiana’s 62 games, 32 have finished over the O/U total, while 33 of Chicago’s 62 games have finished over the O/U total. The Pacers come into this game with a clear advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 37-25 SU and 31-28-3 ATS, while the Bulls are 21-41 SU and 27-34-1 ATS.

Chicago might have difficulty finding the bottom of the net as they go head-to-head against one of the league’s best defenses. Indiana currently ranks seventh in defensive efficiency, while the Bulls rank 26th in offensive efficiency. Also, the Pacers rank fifth in turnover percentage (12.4 percent), while the Bulls rank first in opponents’ turnover percentage (17.1 percent).

Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls Odds Prediction

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

Notes

Betting Notes:

The Pacers rank sixth in assists allowed per game (23.2) while the Bulls rank 25th (25.5).

Chicago ranks 14th in second chance points per game (13.4) while Indiana ranks 27th (11.5).

Indiana ranks fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while Chicago ranks 19th (17.6).

Neither of these teams are great at rebounding the ball. Indiana is 26th in the NBA with 42.7 rebounds per game while Chicago is last with 41.9 rebounds per game.

Chicago is 14-17-1 ATS at home, while Indiana is 17-13-1 ATS on the road.

The Pacers have 16 overs and 15 unders in 31 road games.

The Bulls have 16 overs and 16 unders in 32 home games.

Indiana is 11-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Chicago is 5-3.

In games where they score over 100 points, the Bulls are 21-26 and the Pacers are 37-16.

The Pacers rank eighth in points in the paint per game (49.0) while the Bulls rank 21st in points allowed in the paint per game (49.5).

Indiana ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.7) while Chicago ranks 24th (8.2).

The Bulls rank ninth in three pointers attempted per game (35.1) while the Pacers rank last (27.7).

The Bulls rank fifth in fast break points allowed per game (12.4) while the Pacers rank 18th (13.5).

Indiana ranks eighth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while Chicago ranks 27th (5.9).

Bettings Trends:

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

Over its last five outings, Indiana is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.

The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.6, down from 3.2 for the season.

During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 110.8 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.8 points per game (4.6 below their season average).