NBA 2021/22 on Monday, 12/27/2021
In the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers, we will see a case where instinct says one thing, but reason says another. I’m going to go with the statistics on this one.
For it is true from my Bulls Pacers tip that the home side, complete for the first time again in December, should roll over their opponents. However, there was precedent just a few weeks ago that seems to suggest we should do the opposite…
The Bulls had to endure an extremely difficult situation in early December. A full ten players had to be quarantined and two games were even postponed – but since then the situation has eased considerably.
With yesterday’s announcement that Zack LaVine is back training with the team, all Bulls are now back on the floor. For the first time this month, the Pacers will be confronted with the full strength of the red and white team from Illinois.
By the way, they have gained a lot of quality. I’ll never tire of saying that the Bulls we’re up against this season can’t be compared to their predecessors in terms of potential.
The Bulls, with the trades of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso at the start of the season, have turned a team that had a poor record of 31-41 last season into a dominant franchise that is currently in second place!
It should also be mentioned that despite the many absences, the Bulls were able to win their last two NBA games against the Lakers and the Rocktets even without a Zack LaVine. The fact that he is now back can only be an advantage.
With an average of 26.0 points per game, the talented guard is by far the most productive player on his team after DeMar DeRozan (26.8). The fact that the game against the Pacers will be the third home game in a row can only be a good thing for Chicago.
The Bulls feel right at home in the United Center. After all, a fifth home win in a row beckons. By the way: As good as Chicago is in front of their own fans, the Pacers have a hard time away from home.
It’s bad enough that Indiana has the third worst overall record in the conference. But a look at the away table reveals that they have only won three of their 15 NBA games away from home.
The last five games also perfectly reflect the general impression I have of the blue and yellow. Good against weaker teams, but against stronger ones the air gets tight. Wins over Pistons and Rockets, but down the tubes against Heat, Bucks and Warriors.
Everything we’ve talked about so far should confirm the suspicion that I see the home side clearly ahead – but in fact I’m doing a 180° turnaround at this point and trusting the statistics completely in my Bulls Pacers tip!
Because everything I said about the visitors paints a picture of a below-average team, but the truth is that the Pacers always find a way to upset the Bulls for some unknown reason.
The Pacers won only one of their last seven away games! But this clear 109:77 victory came against the Bulls of all teams – and at a time when the red and white team had not yet suffered any Corona-related absences.
And whoever is thinking: “Yes, even a blind chicken can hit the bull’s eye” should take a look at the statistics. Because the Pacers won each of their last six NBA games as guests of the Bulls.
My Bulls Pacers tip is also made palatable by the current betting odds of various bookmakers. Once again, the Bulls are the clear favourites for this game, as their success is currently associated with odds of around 1.25.
Conclusion: A lot speaks for the Bulls, after all, only a few days ago the last of a total of ten players returned, who previously had to take a break due to Corona. And although one of the weakest away teams in the NBA is now a guest, I remain sceptical.
Because the Pacers have always found a way to beat the Red and Whites during their last six NBA games as guests in the state of Illinois – also in the last showdown almost a month ago.
At that time, both teams were already at their best and the Bulls still suffered a severe beating. In the end, Indiana celebrated an unexpectedly clear triumph with a lead of over 32 points…
My tip is therefore: Away win for the Pacers!
