Filip Tomic
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After a fun and exciting Christmas Day yesterday, the NBA returns with 8 more games to cap off the week. The highlight of Sunday night comes at the United Center, where the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls square off at 8:00pm ET.
You can catch that game live on NBA TV, continue reading below to see our same-game parlay. Also, be sure to check our website for predictions on the side and total for the rest of Sunday’s action.
Let’s dive in!
DeMar DeRozan to score 30+ points (+235)
Caris LeVert 3+ made threes (+245)
Over 222.5 alternate total points (+134)
Parlay odds: +1670
DeMar DeRozan to score 30+ points (+235)
Considering how well DeMar DeRozan has played lately, I must admit I am a bit surprised with the odds on this bet. DeRozan is averaging 29.4 points per game over his last 7 contests while shooting 55% from the field and 36% from downtown. He is also converting 89% of his free throws and is doing all this in just 35.1 minutes per game. He has already gone over 30 points twice in 4 games played in December and with the majority of the team still recovering from Covid, I think his role will remain the same. He has carried the Bulls on the offensive end more often than not this season, even when Zach LaVine is on the floor. Pickswise handicapper Germantas Kneita is also expecting a high-scoring game, so that also bodes well for our bet.
Check out our Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls predictions
Caris LeVert 3+ made threes (+245)
Chicago has struggled guarding the perimeter in the past 3 games. Opponents have averaged 39.1% from 3-point land against them, which is the 4th-worst mark in the NBA during that stretch. LeVert is definitely a player capable of scoring from distance. He is shooting at 37.8% in December and has made at least 2 threes in 5 of his last 6 games and 3 threes in 3 of his last 6 games. With Lonzo Ball entering health and safety protocols earlier today and Alex Caruso already being out, the Bulls will lack perimeter defenders, so it should be a productive night for LeVert.
Over 222.5 alternate total points (+134)
Despite LaVine not playing, the Bulls have been very productive on the offensive end, scoring 115 and 133 points against the Lakers and Rockets in their last 2 games. They rank 6th in the NBA in offensive rating while playing the 15th-fastest tempo in the league. Pacers games have also been high-scoring this week, with all 3 of them going over 218 points. One of the biggest flaws of this team is second-chance points. They are giving up the 5th-highest mark this season and if Sabonis is unable to play they could be in real trouble. Chicago likes to push the tempo — they rank 7th in fast-break points per game — and I expect them to speed things up right out of the gate. The total has gone over in 10 of the last 14 games for Indiana and in 6 of the last 9 for Chicago.
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