Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls
Monday, 12/13/10, 8:00 PM EDT, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Chicago -8
Current Betting Line: Chicago -8
Opening Total: 190.5
Current Total: 191.5
Indiana had its record drop to an even 11-11 on the season with a 97-83 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, which happened to be the team’s eighth consecutive defeat in the series. “They’re just a very athletic team that has our number right now,” said point guard T.J. Ford. “Their athleticism and quickness gets the best of us every time.” The Pacers came into the contest averaging 52.6 points in the first half this season, but managed to score just 35 before the break. “It’s a credit to their defense,” coach Jim O’Brien stated. “They really defended us well.” The squad is 7-5 against Eastern Conference opponents this year, including a 3-3 mark on the road. Indiana is 12-9 ATS on the season and is currently a road underdog on the NBA lines page.
The Pacers defense has been the main storyline for the club this season, holding opponents to 96.2 points per game in their last 21 contests. In their last eight wins, Indiana has held opponents to 89.1 points and 40.0 percent shooting. That will be a tough task against tonight’s foe, who is averaging 103.4 points at home compared to 96.7 on the road. Offensively, the squad will need a big night from forward Danny Granger to pull off the upset, as he has averaged 28.0 points in his last five games against the Bulls. He is listed questionable with an ankle injury tonight and is coming off a 3-for-14 shooting performance last time out.
Chicago avoided a letdown with a 113-82 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday for its fifth consecutive win, which followed an emotional contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. “We want to have the right habits and be ready for any opponent,” said coach Tom Thibodeau. “You want to be consistent in your approach whether you’re playing a defending champion or a rebuilding team.” Point guard Derrick Rose has exemplified this approach all season long, averaging a team-high 25.1 points and 8.1 assists per game. He has also scored 24.6 points on 55.4 percent shooting in the last five meetings with the Pacers. Chicago is 13-9 ATS on the season.
The Bulls lead the all-time series with the Pacers 81-72 and are 54-21 against Indiana in the Windy City. Since the 2003-04 season, Chicago has gone 11-3 against the Pacers at the United Center. Rose has carried the load offensively, averaging 24.8 points and 6.3 assists last year in the series. The team is six games over .500 for the firs time since ending the the 2006-07 campaign with a 49-33 record. A key for tonight’s game is holding the Pacers under the century mark, as the squad is 12-3 on the season when accomplishing the feat, while posting a 2-5 mark when allowing more than 100 points.
Bettors will be interested in knowing that the Pacers are 8-1-1 ATS versus the Central Division, while the Bulls are 21-10-1 ATS in the same situation.
