NBA Betting Preview: A Look at Bulls-Spurs

Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 9:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Spurs -7
Current Line: Spurs -7
Opening Total: 207
Current Total: 204 1/2
Money Line: Spurs -320 / Bulls +260

The Spurs are 7 point favorites at home against the Bulls Wednesday night on ESPN

The 6-3 Bulls travel to San Antonio to take on the 8-1 Spurs. The spurs are trying to match the best start in franchise history at 9-1 with a victory tonight. The Bulls are on a seven game road trip that starts with the dreaded “Texas Triangle.” Tuesday, they beat the Rockets 95-92, and after playing the Spurs tonight will travel to Dallas to play the Mavs on Friday. The Spurs are coming off a 117-104 road victory over the Thunder on Sunday. The Bulls have done well recently against Southwest Division opponents. Chicago is 15-5 ATS teams from that division in the last 3 seasons. The Spurs are on a 7 game winning streak since a loss to the Hornets in the second game of the year. However, the Spurs are only 5-15 ATS in homes after a 3 or game winning streak in the last 3 years.

The Bulls got their first rad victory of the season on Tuesday in Houston. They shot 8 for 12 from 3 point range. However the Bulls did struggle at the free throw line, making only 15 out of 28 from the charity stripe. The Bulls are led by Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. Rose is averaging 25 points a game, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds a game so far for the season. Deng is averaging 20 points and 6 rebounds, and Joakim Noah is averaging 16 points and 13 rebounds a game along with just under 2 blocks a game. Taj Gibson also contributes 13 points a game for the Bulls. The Bulls have gotten off to a good start despite the fact that free agent pick-up Carlos Boozer is recovering from a hand injury and hasn’t played yet this season. Boozer has been cleared to start some light shooting but will not return until at least next month, and maybe January. The Bulls are 6th in scoring at 104 points a game and only allow 99 points a game good for 12th in the league. The Bulls have an assist to turnover ratio of 1.4.

The last time the Spurs started off 8-1 was in the 2004-05 season, and they went on to win their 3rd NBA title. In fact every previous time the Spurs started off 8-1 they ended up winning a division title. The Spurs are winning despite the struggles of Tim Duncan so far this season. The first ballot hall-of-famer’s career is winding down and people are wondering how much he has left in the tank. It would be foolish to write Duncan off but he is only averaging 13 points a game, and is shooting on 51.5% from the field and 66% from the free throw line. Duncan is still getting almost 10 rebounds a game. The Spurs top scorers are Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, and Richard Jefferson. Ginobli is averaging a career best 21 points a game to lead the Spurs. Ginobli os also averaging 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and just under 2 steals a game. Parker is averaging 18 points, and 8 assists a game. Parker is expected to play today but might be distracted as his wife actress Eva Longoria filed for divorce today. Jefferson is averaging 18 points a game. The Spurs are winning with their offense especially 3 point shooting. They are shooting 44% from beyond the arc this season. They are scoring almost 109 points a game good for second in the league. They have an assist to turnover ratio of 1.5.

Chicago could certainly use Boozer tonight to contend with The Spurs rugged front court. Chicago is also on the second game of a back to back, and had a tough game last night in Houston. These teams bring out the defense in each other as the last four meetings between the teams have gone under the total. Chicago swept the Spurs last year for the first time since 1997-98. That was of course Michael Jordan’s last year with the Bulls and Tim Duncan’s first with the Spurs.