NBA Picks: Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics
Wednesday, 2/13/13, 7:30 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Boston -2.5
Current Betting Line: Boston -2
Opening Total: 182
Current Total: 181.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Chicago Bulls will need a major performance out of F Carlos Boozer Wednesday night

Chicago has dropped three of its last four games, including a 103-89 setback to the San Antonio Spurs Monday night, while going OVER the total for the third time in four contests. “We didn’t play smart, turned the ball over way too much,” commented Bulls center Joakim Noah. The Bulls are 15-9 overall on the road, including a 13-4 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago is 11-4 SUATS as road underdogs of three points or less the last two-plus seasons, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks against the spread Wednesday night.

The Bulls took a 2-1 series lead over the Celtics with a 100-99 overtime victory as two-point road underdogs on Jan. 18, while the last four meetings have climbed OVER the posted total. Forward Carlos Boozer finished with 19 points and 20 rebounds in that affair, as he has averaged 15.2 and 10.5 in those respective categories in 26 career games in this series. With numerous injuries hitting the roster, reserve guard Nate Robinson has upped his contribution, averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 assists over his last six games.

Boston is another team that has suffered more than its fair share of injuries, as the team looks to bounce back from a 94-91 setback to the Charlotte Bobcats as 4.5-point road favorites, which snapped a seven-game win streak. The Celtics are led by Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce offensively, but have lost Leandro Barbosa, Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger over the last couple weeks. “We’re falling like flies right now,” stated Garnett in practice this week. Boston is 4-7 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite this season, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page.

The Celtics are 19-9 at the TD Garden during the 2012-13 NBA campaign, including an 8-6 mark versus conference rivals. Boston has split its last six games with Chicago at this venue, but the franchise has won a second-best six straight at the facility since suffering a loss to the New York Knicks on Jan. 24.