Indiana Pacers Vs. Chicago Bulls: Predictions, Starting Lineups (12/28/23)
Despite being without Zach LaVine recently, the Chicago Bulls have been playing much-improved basketball, winning four of their past five games. Can the Indiana Pacers stroll into the United Center and steal a road win? Take a look at our Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls predictions, matchup preview, and best bets below!
Indiana Pacers Vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction
The Indiana Pacers have hit a seemingly inevitable rough patch in their 2023-24 campaign, dropping seven of their past ten games. When Indiana lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the In-Season Tournament Championship, its play started to go off the rails. Unfortunately, the Pacers have not course-corrected yet.
Indiana’s turnover percentage has skyrocketed in that span, ranking 26th in the NBA. Further, the Pacers are 26th in rebounds per game over their past ten games, and their offensive struggles have only highlighted these now-glaring weaknesses.
The recent issues have prompted head coach Rick Carlisle to try various lineups, but the constant lineup changes result in a substantial amount of volatility, especially when evaluating betting lines.
On the other hand, Chicago has surged in the past few weeks, winning four of its past five. The Bulls are without Zach LaVine and, now, Nikola Vucevic, too.
However, it has hardly mattered with the emergence of Coby White, who is playing near an All-Star level. In White’s past 15 outings, he has posted roughly 23 points, six assists, and six rebounds per game on an impressive 48/42/82 shooting split. Even Andre Drummond is fresh off a 24-point, 25-rebound, five-stock game after logging a start.
Between White, Alex Caruso, and Jevon Carter, the Bulls have no shortage of perimeter defense. Drummond could exploit the Pacers’ rebounding struggles, too. The Bulls rank eighth in opponent three-point percentage on their home floor; they also force the third-most turnovers to opponents at United Center.
Chicago has also won six of its past eight home games and has the ninth-best net rating in the NBA in that span at home.
Indiana is in disarray, and the few things that the Pacers seem to do well (up-tempo pace, three-point shooting, and efficient offensive play) are things that Chicago (currently) has an answer for. White, Caruso, and Carter will likely rotate between defending Tyrese Haliburton, which should help the team throw some different looks at him.
They won’t stop Tyrese, but slowing him down can be enough to squeeze out a win, especially if the ‘Cers continue performing poorly on the defensive end of the floor.
Indiana Pacers Vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction: Bulls +2.5 (-110)
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Indiana Pacers Vs. Chicago Bulls Best Odds
The Indiana Pacers enter this Eastern Conference matchup as 2.5-point road favorites, with Moneyline odds of -135 to win straight up. Conversely, Chicago is a +114 underdog on its home floor. The point total for this game hangs around 240.5 points, with -110 odds on both the Over and the Under.
Indiana Pacers Starting Lineup
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Buddy Hield
PF: Obi Toppin
C: Myles Turner
Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup
PG: Alex Caruso
SG: Coby White
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Patrick Williams
C: Andre Drummond
Indiana Pacers Vs. Chicago Bulls Injuries
Indiana’s injury report is fairly light ahead of its Central Division game against the Chicago Bulls. The Pacers will miss Bruce Brown with a knee injury; however, no one else is currently listed as questionable or out for this bout.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have a few key injuries that they have been dealing with. They will continue to be without Zach LaVine due to a foot injury that he sustained and Nikola Vucevic, who is resting after recently injuring his groin. Torrey Craig, Onuralp Bitim, and Henri Drell will also not suit up for this game.
