Celtics, Bulls highlight Thursday NBA Picks

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Last Updated on Thursday, 16 February 2012 11:22
Written by BetRepublic
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Without Jeremy Lin in action, what is the basketball betting industry going to do? Oh well, guess we’ll all have to settle for the Boston Celtics vs. the Chicago Bulls

NBA PICKS – BOSTON vs. CHICAGO

Online sportsbooks are currently listing Chicago (-7.5, 180.5) but with injury concerns over Derrick Rose (back), the action is weighing heavily on the dog. Sports betting sites are showing between 75-80 percent money on the Celts to cover against the spread and 80-percent that Boston will win straight-up.

The moneyline price for Boston is +290 and Sportsbetting.com offers this game on tonight’s live betting menu.

OVER/UNDER NOTEBOOK
The total in the past three games between these teams was 171.5, 176.5 and 179 (1-2 O/U) and nine meetings since December, 2009 resulted in 3 overs and 6 unders.

The Celtics (87.1) and Bulls (88.0) rank 1st and 3rd respectively in fewest points allowed and Chicago gives up 84.1 points per game (PPG) on home court, third-best in the league.

Chicago won both home games last season vs. the Celtics by margins of 16 and 11 points and each stayed under the total. The final combined scores were 178 and 169 (174.5 avg) and the two posted totals were 179 and 187. Rose averaged 33 points in those two contests and without him in the lineup, we like this game to stay below the number.
Pick: Take the Under

More on the Thursday night NBA triple header from Armadillo Sports.

NBA TRENDS FOR TODAY’S GAME

Hot Teams
-- Bulls won six of last seven games, covered one of last five at home.
-- Clippers won five of their last seven games.

Cold Teams
-- Nets lost their last seven games (0-6 vs. spread in last six). Pacers lost six of their last seven games.
-- Celtics lost three of last four games, are 6-2 vs. spread as a dog.
-- Blazers lost last three home games, allowing 112.7 ppg.

Wear and Tear
-- Nets: 2nd night in row after three off. Pacers: 3rd night in a row.
-- Celtics: 2nd night in row after two off. Bulls: 3rd game/5 nights.
-- Clippers: 5th game/7 nights. Trailblazers: 3rd night in row, 5th/7 nights.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine New Jersey games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Chicago games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Portland games went over the total.


NBA Betting Stats – Odds, trends, injury reports and Power Rating lines on all of today’s matchups – Click here!