Boston Celtics AT Chicago Bulls
January 8th, 2011 at 8:00 PM EST
Opening Line: Boston -2.5
Current Line: Boston -2
Opening Total: 187
Current Total: 188
Opening Moneyline: Boston -130 / Chicago +110
Current Moneyline: Boston -120 / Chicago +100
Tonight’s game is a showdown of two of the premier teams in the Eastern Conference. For the Bulls, it will serve as a litmus test and measuring stick of how well they stack up against the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics. These two teams have history. In 2009, they had a classic 7 game showdown that resulted in many overtimes, kindling a rivalry that extends into tonight’s game.
The Bulls have dropped both their last two games to non-contenders New Jersey and Philadelphia. The New Jersey game was a heartbreaker as Sasha Vujacic hit a game winning layup as time expired. The Philadelphia game was a bit more confusing as they gave up a season high 56.3% field goals to the Sixers, who aren’t known for their offense to say the least. It’s a bad sign because Boston shoots a league high 50.5% from the floor. The Celtics have had even better success against the Bulls in that respect, having shot 52.1% from the floor in their previous two matchups this season, both Boston victories.
“It’s tough because we lost right now, but you know they’re a hell of a team,” injured Bulls center Noah after the loss on December 3rd. “That’s what we’re striving to be, one of the best teams in the game.”
Boston will again be without team leader Kevin Garnett, who suffered a knee sprain and is still expected to miss at least another week. They have been playing fine in his absense, as 6th man of the year candidate Glen “Big Baby” Davis has stepped up admirably, much as he did in the 08-09 playoffs in the series against Chicago and Orlando.
Some betting trends:
Boston has won 19 of their last 22 and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 raod games. They have won 8 of their last 10 on the road and the total has gone OVER in 11 of their last 15 against the Bulls. Boston has won 5 of the last 7 and the last 2 between the teams and the Celts are 2-4 over their last 6 in Chicago. Boston is also 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 road games against the Bulls.
Chicago has won 14 of their last 18 and the total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 6 at home. They have won all 5 of their last 5 games at home and the total has gone UNDER in 10 of their last 15 home games. IT has also gone OVER in 11 of their last 15 against Boston. The Bulls are 7-13-1 ATS in their last 21 games against the Celtics and are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games against the Celtics.
Premier Matchup of Tonight’s game:
Rajon Rondo Vs. Derrick Rose
Both point guards are having phenomenal years and are in MVP discussions. Rose has improved every year of his three year NBA career and has emerged as one of the league’s premier scorers and one of the top 5 point guards in the league, and an argument could be made that he is the best one. Rondo is averaging an absurd 14 assists a game, but isn’t scoring quite as much as would have been expected; it hasn’t mattered though. He’s led the Celtics to the best record in the East and took control last year during their improbable Finals run. Both are quick point guards and good defenders and this should be an epic showdown between them. Rondo and Rose are flashy and exciting and will add a lot of highlights to what should be a rather slow paced game, for the most part. Boston and Chicago both hold their opponents to less than 95 a game and NBA oddsmakers have set the total at 187 opening line, which indicates that the score will be in the 90s, if normal trends apply.
