Barking Dog: Bulls vs. 76ers Pick ATS

Chicago Bulls (33-37 SU, 35-35-0 ATS) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (48-22 SU, 41-28-1 ATS)
When: Monday, March 20th, 7:00 PM (ET)
Where: Wells Fargo Center, PA, Philadelphia
TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Chi +7.5/Phi -7.5
Total: 224.5
Money Line: Chicago Bulls +241/-305

Notable Injuries

Bulls

• Alex Caruso (Questionable) Illness
• Lonzo Ball (Out) Knee
• Javonte Green (Questionable) Knee
• Justin Lewis (Out) ACL

76ers

• P.J. Tucker (Questionable) Ankle

Recent Form

Heading into the game, Chicago is 33-37 overall. When taking to the road, Chicago has a mark of 13-21 and a win percentage of 38%. Currently, the team is 10th in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 35-35-0 vs. the spread. In their matchup against Philadelphia, the Chicago Bulls have won 2 straight games and will look to push that mark to 3 in a row.

In their upcoming game, Chicago will be looking to capitalize on their recent win over the Heat. DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Bulls with 24 points. Despite being 2 point underdogs on the spread, the Bulls secured an ATS win.

Heading into the game, Philadelphia is 48-22 overall. When playing at home, Philadelphia has a mark of 26-10 and a win percentage of 72%. Currently, the team is 2nd in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 41-28-1 vs. the spread. Philadelphia will look to stay hot in today’s game vs. Chicago as they are the winners of 8 straight games.

In their previous game, the Philadelphia team emerged victorious against the Pacers, winning by a margin of 4 points as predicted. Tyrese Maxey shone for the 76ers, scoring 31 points on a shooting percentage of 66.7%. The 76ers not only won the game but also successfully covered the spread.

The Historicals

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the 76ers picked up the 114-109 win over the Bulls. The 76ers margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as a 3.0-point favorite. So far, the two teams have split their season series, with each team at 1-1. Across the previous five meetings between the teams, the 76ers have an average scoring margin of +6 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 4-1. In these contests, they averaged a combined 226 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 4-1.

Analysis

This year, the Chicago offense is not only near the NBA average in points at 113.5 points per game, but they are also playing at a pace similar to the league average. So far, the Bulls are ranked 17th in possessions per contest. Chicago heads into the game as one of the top 3-point shooting teams in terms of percentage. So far, they have hit 36.6% of their looks from deep. However, they are currently ranked just 30th in 3-point attempts per contest. On defense, the Bulls allow an average of 112.0 points per game, placing them 17th in the league. So far, teams have shot 36.4% on their looks from outside vs. Chicago. This figure places them 23rd in 3-point shooting defense.

As the Bulls prepare for today’s game, Zach LaVine is their leading scorer, averaging 25.0 points per game. This season, LaVine has a field goal percentage of 48.2%. The team’s second-leading scorer is DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 25.4 points per game.

This season, the 76ers offense is averaging 115.5 points per game, which is 13th in the NBA. In terms of pace, Philadelphia has been playing at one of the slower tempo’s in the league, averaging just 97.1 possessions per game. Philadelphia’s 3-point shooting numbers are below the league average, as they have hit just 39.0% of their looks from deep. On average, the team gets up 32.7 3-point shots per game, placing them 17th in the NBA. Defensively, the 76ers have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 107.33 points per game. So far, they have done an excellent job defending the 3-point arc, allowing teams to hit just 34.56%.

Joel Embiid is the top scorer for the 76ers, with an average of 33.5 points per game. This season, his field goal percentage is 54.6%. James Harden is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 21.7 points per game.

More Picks: Get our Indiana at Charlotte analysis and spread predition 3/20/23

Betting Trends

• The Bulls are 9-19 ATS in their last 28 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• The Bulls are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games following a straight-up win.
• The 76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last four after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The 76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a straight-up win.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Sixers have been very consistent as of late and winning games, but generally speaking, they don’t blow out good teams. I think the Bulls can keep it within the 7 spread. This year’s crazy March Madness killing your bankroll? Don’t reload for nothing! Grab a 100% real cash bonus from one of the top tier bookies on our sportsbook bonuses page!