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The Chicago Bulls will host the Indiana Pacers in the NBA on Saturday, second day of Christmas.
The Bulls (0-1, 0-1 home) haven’t improved much and look set for a season similar to the one last year, when they finished with a 33.8% winning percentage as one of the lesser teams in the league. They lost their opener at home against Atlanta three days ago, allowing Trae Young to explode for 37 points in a 20 point defeat.
Indiana (1-0, 0-0 away) also hasn’t made any big moves this off season, but compared to last year (when they still finished 4th in the East!), the team is healthy. Brogdon, Warren, Oladipo, Sabonis, Turner … that’s a great starting 5, which they couldn’t use very often last season, and especially in the playoffs. The Pacers looked good in their opening game, taking care of the Knicks rather easily.
Team news: There’s not much to report here. Thaddeus Young is out for the Bulls, while the Pacers will be without Bitadze, Lamb, and Bowen. These injuries should have little impact on how the game will unfold.
I’m gonna say it straight up, I like the Pacers here. They have such a solid, well balanced roster, with young players who are improving year after year and entering their primes. They made real noise in the East last year, at least in the regular season, and that was while they struggled with health. Now, with all their pieces in good physical shape, Indy looks dangerous.
Chicago on the other hand hasn’t been a good team in a while, and will not be one this year either. They looked bad in their opening game, and it’s hard to see their inexperienced, inconsistent players coming out on top against a team like Indiana.
The Pacers have won the last 9 (!!) H2H meetings against the Bulls, which has some relevance considering that the two teams are pretty much unchanged since last year. However you look at it, it really does seem that the Pacers have the tools to counter the Bulls (height, defense, discipline), and that this is a very good matchup for them.
The Bulls will probably have a few good games this season when LaVine or Markkanen go off to have big shooting nights, but those games will not come very often – and likely not against this solid Pacers team. With home court advantage diluted due to absence of fans, Chicago’s chances look even slimmer tonight.
I’ve been thinking about the 4 point handicap on the Pacers, but in the end I’m choosing to go with the straight win and higher stakes. I feel safer this way. Prediction: Chicago Bulls – Indiana Pacers 108 – 115.
Pick: Pacers
Odds: 1.57 @ William Hill
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 5.70
Event date: 26 December
