New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
Monday, 3/12/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Chicago -8.5
Current Betting Line: Chicago -8.5
Opening Total: 197.5
Current Total: 197.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
New York enjoyed a run of “Linsanity” earlier in the season, but now the entire franchise has run flat in dropping five straight games heading into Monday’s game against the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks are playing absolutely no defense and allowing 110.6 points per game over their current losing streak. “Yeah, it’s definitely not easy,” commented Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire. New York is 0-5 ATS in the month of March and the “over” is 4-1 in those contests.
The Knicks defensive intensity has vanished since All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup and head coach Mike D’Antoni is left trying to explain how his squad allowed 39 points in the third quarter of Sunday’s 106-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers as 2.5-point home favorites. “It’s hard to explain sometimes,” stated D’Antoni about his team’s performance. Stoudemire will need to bring it offensively in hopes of pulling off an upset in this affair, as he scored 34 points versus the Bulls in a 105-102 loss as 3.5-point home underdogs on Feb. 2.
Chicago bounced back after suffering a home loss to Orlando in capturing a 111-97 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday as 10-point favorites. The Bulls have gone “over” the number in five of their last six games. “Everybody stepped up,” stated Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer. The franchise has been dealing with numerous injuries recently and currently have three starters listed as probable or questionable on the team’s injury report. Chicago is 10-9 ATS at home this season and the “under” is 10-9 in that situation.
The Bulls will be seeking their third consecutive win in this series, while the “over” is 3-2 in the last five meetings. Chicago will be facing a challenging schedule over the next five games, as point guard Derrick Rose will try to keep his team focused on tonight’s matchup with a home game against the Miami Heat on deck. The team will also host the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers before heading out on the road against the Orlando Magic.
Bettors will likely back the Knicks due to their 5-2 ATS mark versus the Bulls, while the Bulls are 22-24 ATS versus Atlantic division opponents over the last two-plus years.
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