Philadelphia at Chicago

Time: 7 PM CST (ESPN)

Spread: PHI -5

Total: 230

Odds c/o 5dimes

PHI TEAM NOTES:

The Philadelphia 76ers have won seven of its last 10 games. It is currently seeded No. 4 in the East, but it trails Conference-leading Milwaukee by seven  games. It is one half-game behind No. 3 Indiana. If the playoffs began today, the Sixers would wage war against the No. 5  seeded Boston Celtics.

Right now, it is simply trying to stay afloat with Simmons responsible for nearly everything with his rag-tag supporting cast. Butler is expected to return from his sprained wrist tonight.

The 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz was dealt to the Orlando Magic for Jonathan Simmons plus parts…and Jimmy Butler is a strong addition, but the Sixers have certainly missed the defensive presence Robert Covington gave them (he and Dario Saric were the two key players traded for Butler). The Sixers also are pretty heavily reliant on its top-end talent, and adding depth is not something that should be left out of consideration.

Simmons is an unorthodox point guard, but a very good one, at least.  In his second NBA season, the 6’10” 1-man is averaging 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, while ranking No. 3 on the team in PER. Butler was a crucial addition, but one cannot overlook how Tobias Harris really rounds out Philly’s starting five. Since being acquired in a trade, Harris has averaged 21.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in his 10 starts. Philly has won seven of those games, and Harris’ scoring ability takes some pressure off Butler who can now be used in a role as a lockdown defender without colossal offensive responsibilities. Butler still averages 18.5 points per game but his biggest value to the Sixers is his ability to lock up opponents’ premier wing players.

CHI

The Bulls are just 7-25 on its home court this year. The Bulls are just 4.5 games better than cellar-dwelling Cleveland, and there is no hope of this team making the postseason this year.

The Bulls have struggled on both ends of the court. It averages just 104 points per game despite strong offensive games from Zach LaVine, who leads the team in scoring at 22.9 points per game. Lauri Markkanen has been good since returning from injury, and he has averaged 17.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals/blocks per game. Jabari Parker has been mostly a disappointment though, and Bobby Portis—thought to be promising—has missed most of the season.

The Bulls surrender 112.5 points per game and possess a -7.6 point differential while ranking near the bottom of the league in assists per game and boards per game. There are few bright spots on the roster, but Wendell Carter Jr has fulfilled some of his promises.

The rookie has averaged 10.3 points, seven boards and 1.32 blocks per game in his rookie season. The Bulls will have to re-tool and gain a defensive identity this offseason, but in the meantime, it does have a few promising pieces to work with, in LaVine, Markkanen, and Carter Jr.

Chicago has lingered since trading Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Butler has gone on to end up in Philadelphia. The team lost not only its leader but the only player close to resembling a superstar, notwithstanding that LaVine, at least, scores like one.

ATS TRENDS (Trends all C/o Covers):

OU TRENDS

HEAD TO HEAD