Los Angeles Clippers at Chicago Bulls
Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at 8:05 PM EST
Opening Line: Chicago -10
Current Line: Chicago -10
Opening Total: 190
Current Total: 191.5
Moneyline: Undefined at time of Issue (4:29 AM)
The Clippers just snapped a four game skid by winning last night in Detroit by a score of 109-88. It was the first Clippers road victory of the year, in their 12th try. They will hope to continue the success and start a road winning streak against the Bulls tonight. Chicago is riding a 7 game winning streak and has been even better since they got Carlos Boozer back from his hand injury. Since that time they have leapfrogged Orlando in the standings and are currently the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. Boozer has really come back to form in the past two games, averaging 28 points and 15 rebounds over the past two games. If he can continue that level of domiance tonight against Blake Griffin then the NBA oddsmakers have set the point spread right at 10 points in Chicago’s favor.
Derrick Rose has been nothing short of spectacular. So far in this young season, he is averaging 23.9 points per game (3.1 higher than last season) and 8.4 assists per game (2.4 higher than last season). For the first time in his career he is attempting threes in volume and hitting an outstanding 41.2% from three. He’s averaging 20.1 shot attempts a night and 4.9 free throw attempts. Baron Davis will have the task of checking Rose, and he better be up to the challenge.
Some betting trends: The Clippers have lost 15 of their past 16 road games and the total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 games in Chicago. The Clippers have won 5 of the last 6 matchups in Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games, and it has gone UNDER 8 of their last 9 at home. Chicago is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against the Clippers.
Another matchup to keep your eye on besides the Derrick Rose and Baron Davis matchup include:
Eric Gordon vs. Keith Bogans & Ronnie Brewer
Eric Gordon is having a phenomenal season, averaging 23.8 points per game and 4.6 assists per night. Bogans and Brewer are notoriously good defenders, though. They have the strength to push Gordon away from the basket and to strong arm him in the post. Gordon will have to attempt to use his speed against Bogans and against Brewer he will just have to fight for open jumpers. His past two games haven’t been entirely that impressive (15 and 16 points), but he scored 20 or more in the 12 games before that, and has already three 30+ point games. Bogans and Brewer are both more or less spot up shooters on offense, so Gordon won’t exhaust himself chasing them around screens or stopping penetration. Between the defense of Bogans and Brewer and the oustanding offense of Gordon, it should equate to a near wash.
The game will likely be determined by how well the stars show up. Griffin and Eric Gordon have the talent to knock off many good teams, but Chicago is very good, and they are at home.
