Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers
Monday, 2/7/11, 10:00 PM EDT
Opening Point Spread: Chicago -1.5
Current Betting Line: Chicago -2
Opening Total: 183
Current Total: 181.5
Chicago had its six-game winning streak snapped by dropping a 101-90 contest at Golden State and has recorded a 2-10 mark when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Bulls will need to do a much better job on the defensive end tonight in order to get back on track when facing a team that has averaged 112.7 points during its three-game home winning streak in the series. Point guard Derrick Rose continues to be the squad’s catalyst on the offensive end, but managed to score just 14 points in the latest contest, his fewest since scoring a season-low on December 15. “I couldn’t get a feel for the game because they didn’t let me,” said Rose. “I couldn’t get to the hole. It was hard but I’ll figure it out.” The team is 34-15 overall on the season, but just an even 11-11 away from the United Center. Chicago is 12-10 ATS on the road and currently favored on the NBA lines page tonight.
The Bulls are one of four teams int he NBA this year that has not lost more than two games in a row. Chicago’s defense has been brilliant over the last nine games, allowing opponents to average just 86.0 points a contest on .409 shooting. One of the main reasons is the inside presence of Taj Gibson, who has recorded 24 blocks in his last 12 games, while averaging a team-high 1.64 during the season. The team has also dominated the glass during the 2010-11 campaign, out-rebounding its opponents in 39 out of 49 games this year.
Portland returns home after tallying a 111-105 win over Cleveland to finish off a three-game road trip and will look to improve upon its recent play at home. The Blazers have dropped two of three overall home games while averaging just 86.0 points in the process. “We need to protect our home court, no matter who we play,” said point guard Andre Miller. The team is only 10-17 on the road, but 17-7 at home, which makes tonight’s contest an important one in terms of the standings. Portland is 13-10 ATS at home this season.
The Blazers won five straight over the Bulls from 2007-09, but the Bulls have taken the last two meetings between the teams. Portland has won the last two home games versus Chicago by a combined 66 points. The team must focus on stopping forward Carlos Boozer in the paint to pick up a victory, as he averaged a double-double against them last season as a member of the Utah Jazz. Portland holds a 19-1 record when shooting a higher percentage from the field than its opponent.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Bulls due to their 8-0-1 ATS mark on Mondays, while the Blazers are 0-6-1 ATS versus the Eastern Conference.
Don’t miss out on a huge night and let the NBA handicappers at Maddux Sports lead you into the winner’s circle!
