The Indiana Pacers (4-18) and Chicago Bulls (9-12) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST from the United Center in Chicago, Ill. The game will broadcast live on FDSIN.
The Bulls are 4.5-point favorites over the Pacers on the spread (Bulls -4.5), with the over/under set at 237.5 total points. Chicago is a -180 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Indiana is +150 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Pacers vs. Bulls predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 5.
My Pacers vs Bulls Prediction
- Pacers vs Bulls pick: Under 237.5 (-110)
My Bulls vs Pacers best bet is on the under, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Pacers vs Bulls Odds
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 237.5 -110 / -110 | +150 |
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 237.5 -110 / -110 | -180 |
Pacers vs Bulls NBA Preview
First, this is a high total vs. two under teams; the Pacers rank 1st in road under rate, and the Bulls rank 8th in under rate at home.
When Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin have been available, the over is 6-3, but that’s mostly home games; the under is 2-1 on the road.
The Pacers have more offensive talent back, but that also means they can score and set their defense to get stops.
This should be a fast-paced game; both teams rank in the top-10 in transition opportunity frequency. They get out and run.
However, both teams are also top-five in transition defense per possession.
These teams are comfortable playing fast, so they slow the ball down.
The offense has also dropped off a cliff for the Bulls; the under is 5-2-1 in their last eight and their team total is 6-2 to the under in their last eight.
Pacers vs Bulls Prediction, Betting Analysis
I project this total at 227.4 on full-season numbers, but I’m a little behind Indiana’s regression back to offensive decency with better health.
Still, even if I give this a five-point bump, I’m still five points under the number.
I also like the Pacers here.
Even with how dreadful they’ve been, I still make them 2.4-point favorites with current-season numbers, which tells you how awful the Bulls have been the past few weeks.
Indiana is just a better team at this moment, and have been playing way better recently.
Rick Carlisle is 15-12-1 ATS as a 'dog against division opponents (i.e. short travel time) with equal rest.
Billy Donovan, however, is 8-5 ATS as a home favorite against division opponents with the Bulls. So, I’ll tread lightly with Indiana.
Pick: Under 237.5 (-110)
Spread
I lean toward the Pacers +4.5 in this spot.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
My Bulls vs Pacers betting prediction is on the under at 237.5 total points.
Bulls vs Pacers Betting Trends
