NBA Playoff Picks: Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls, Game 3

Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls
Thursday, 4/25/13, 8:30 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Chicago -3
Current Betting Line: Chicago -3.5
Opening Total: 181
Current Total: 181
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Chicago Bulls were 13-28 ATS at home during the regular season

Brooklyn will try to regain home-court advantage in its Eastern Conference first round series with Chicago Thursday, as it suffered a 90-82 setback as five-point home favorites in Game 2, while going UNDER the posted total of 183. The Nets went 23-18 overall away from the Barclays Center during the regular season, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread. “We’ve been through our ups and downs to get this far,” commented Nets guard Joe Johnson. Brooklyn is 8-4 ATS when playing with two days rest.

The Nets are being led by center Brook Lopez on the offensive end in this series, as he’s averaging 21.0 points, while Johnson is combining with backcourt mate Deron Williams to contribute 31.5. As a franchise, Brooklyn has compiled a 4-3 record in Game 3’s when playing on the road, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. It’s still important to note that the squad is 7-0 all-time in five and seven-game series when holding home-court advantage.

Chicago has been led by its front court tandem of Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng, who average averaging 29.5 points per game, as it will likely play the rest of the 2013 NBA playoffs without the services of point guard Derrick Rose. He has sat out the entire regular season with a knee injury, while others on this roster are also banged up. Center Joakim Noah has been battling plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Chicago is 13-28 ATS at home, with the UNDER going 25-16 in that situation.

The Bulls are 15-6 all-time in Game 3’s, including a 13-5 mark when the series is tied at one game apiece. In five of the six games this season between Chicago and New Jersey—the team that outscored the other in the paint proved victorious. In playoff history, the franchise is 50-9 when holding its opponent to 85 points or less.