NBA Picks: Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks

Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks
Friday, 2/28/14, 8:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Dallas -4.5
Current Betting Line: Dallas -4
Opening Total: 193
Current Total: 191.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Dallas Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 21.6 points per game

Chicago has won eight of its last nine games, including a 103-83 victory over the Golden State Warriors as 3.5-point home underdogs Wednesday, while going UNDER the betting total of 186.5. The Bulls have four of five probable starters averaging double figures, with forward Carlos Boozer leading the way at 14.7 points a contest—posting his 17th double-double of the 2013-14 campaign last time out. Chicago is 4-5 SU and 6-3 ATS as road underdogs of 3.5 to 6 points this season, with the UNDER going 5-4 in that situation.

The Bulls are 14-16 SU on the road this season, including a 4-9 mark versus Western Conference opponents, which is hard to ignore when making your NBA betting picks Friday night. Since Jan. 1, Chicago has held its opponent under 90 points a league-high 14 times—posting a 13-1 SU record in that situation. Over the last 10 games, the franchise has outscored its opponent by an average of 7.2 points in the first quarter.

Dallas has won four games in a row, including a 108-89 blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans as 6.5-point home favorites Wednesday, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in five contests. The Mavericks are 19-9 SU at home this season, including an 8-3 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents, which is important to consider when looking over the NBA betting lines. The squad has taken the last two games in this series, including a 105-83 win on Dec. 28. Dallas is 8-0 SUATS versus Central division teams this season.

The Mavericks are averaging 113.8 points over the course of their current win streak—shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from beyond the arc. Dallas is 17-6 SU when hitting 10 or more three-point shots this season, but that mark will be hard to reach against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Star forward Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 21.6 points per game and shooting an NBA-high 91.6 percent from the charity stripe.