NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Written By David Hess (Follow me on Twitter @DavidHess311)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, December 25, 2015
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Lines: Oklahoma City -9
Total: 205.5
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The Chicago Bulls come into this game on a three game slide, after losing 105-102 to Brooklyn at home on Monday night, which was their third loss in a row. It may not get better for them right now as they will be without Joakim Noah for two weeks. The Bulls are 15-11 overall and just 4-6 on the road this year so far. This is the first year under the guidance of Fred Hoiberg and his main focus this year was upping the pace of play for his team and it has generated a bit more offense but still they were hoping for more as this offense has been really inconsistent this year, ranking 20th in the league at 100.4 ppg, while also ranking 28th in offensive FG% (42.4%). Jimmy Butler leads this offense with 21.5 ppg, while a healthy Derrick Rose is having a solid season, scoring 13.5 ppg, while leading the team in assists at 5.4 per game. Still, Hoiberg was expecting a bit more offense from this team. Their faster pace of play has also affected their defense some as they are normally a team that ranks in the top five in terms of points allowed, but this year hey are 12th in that department, allowing 99.5 ppg, despite the fact that they are 1st in defensive FG% at 41.8%.
The Oklahoma City Thunder come into this game on a roll, as they have won three games in row and nine of their last 10. That puts them at 20-9 on the year, including a 13-3 mark at home. This is a mission team his year as they missed the playoffs last year thanks to a slew of injuries, with the big one being to Kevin Durant, who only played in 23 games a year ago. Now hey are healthy and are playing with a purpose. Kevin Durant comes in averaging 26.6 ppg on the year, which is 3rd in the league, while Russell Westbrook is 5th in the league at 25.3 ppg. It just shows how important it is for Westbrook and Durant to be healthy at the same time. The pair has led the Thunder to the 2nd ranked offense in the league, putting up 107.8 ppg, while also ranking 3rd in FG% at 47.5%. This is not only an offensive team as their defensive numbers are very strong. The Thunder check in at 8th in the league in points allowed (99 ppg) and 3rd in defensive FG% (42.6), while leading the league in rebounding margin at +8.28 per game. This is a complete team.
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[504] Oklahoma City -9 over Chicago
I will go with the Thunder here as they are one a roll, while the Bulls have lost three straight and will be playing without Joakim Noah, who is their 2nd best rebounder on the team at 8.8 per game and you need good rebounding when facing the best rebounding team in the league.The Bills offense has really been inconsistent this year, while the Thunder have been one of the best and hey just seem to be getting better as the season goes on. On defense the Thunder also have a big edge and they have been dominant a home, where they have outscored foes by an average of 10.3 ppg. Look for the Thunder to roll here.
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