[7:00 PM] Bulls @ Pacers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Bulls (3-2)

@ Indiana Pacers (2-3)

 

Current odds:

Chicago Bulls: (+133)

Indiana Pacers: (-147)

 

• ESPN simulations have Indiana as 81% favorites to win the game.

• 56% of sports bets are currently on Indiana to win as (-147) favorites.

• One week after they were embarrassed in Chicago, the Indiana Pacers look to return the favor when they host the rival Bulls on Saturday. Chicago led by as many as 29 points in the second half en route to a 118-101 win over the Pacers in the first matchup between the Central Division foes, giving the Bulls five wins in the last six meetings. hat was part of a 3-0 start for Chicago, but Dwyane Wade’s new team has dropped consecutive games since then, the last a 117-104 loss to the New York Knicks at home on Friday.

• The Pacers are 2-0 at home and 0-3 on the road, which includes the 17-point loss in Chicago and a 125-107 setback at Milwaukee on Thursday in which they allowed the Bucks to shoot 58 percent from the floor.

• Doug McDermott scored 23 points in the win over the Pacers and returned from a concussion to chip in six points in 26 minutes off the bench Friday night. Butler has scored at least 22 points in all but one game this season, that being the first meeting with Indiana (16). Wade is 10-of-19 from 3-point distance – 9-of-13 at home.

• Among the early issues for a revamped roster is the play on the offensive end of new point guard Jeff Teague, who is shooting 24.6 from the floor while making 2-of-18 from 3-point range. The veteran, who missed all seven of his shots in 28 scoreless minutes versus the Bulls last weekend, shot a career-high 40 percent from beyond the arc last season with Atlanta.

• Chicago entered Friday leading the league in rebounding differential (+14). Indiana was 25th (-5.0).

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Indiana Pacers

Confidence: 5/10

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