NBA Picks: Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, 12/25/11, 5:00 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Chicago -1.5
Current Betting Line: Chicago -3.5
Opening Total: 186
Current Total: 185.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Lakers Nuggets NBA Game Preview — Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has endured a tumultuous offseason

Chicago brings back virtually the same team that ended the 2010-11 regular season with the best record in the league before getting eliminated by the Miami Heat in the playoffs. The Bulls made a major investment in their future when signing star point guard Derrick Rose to a lengthy contract extension in the offseason. “Our goal is to win a championship,” Rose commented this week. “I have a lot of believe in my teammates.” He finished last year averaging 25.0 points and 7.7 assists per game. Chicago is 14-15 ATS in December the last two-plus years.

The Bulls made another key move in the offseason in signing shooting guard Richard Hamilton, who brings them experience at the position. Chicago was missing a player to join Rose on the perimeter, making him a great fit. “He’s been a premier catch-and-shoot player in the league for a long time,” stated Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah are a touch matchup for any team inside, making this squad dangerous during the 2011-12 campaign.

Los Angeles has tallied a 34-17 record in home openers since moving to the West Coast and will be playing its 13th straight Christmas Day game dating back to 1999. Surprisingly enough, the Lakers are just 4-8 in the previous 12 tries on December 25th. A lot has changed in the offseason and everyone will be watching star Kobe Bryant on the court, who is listed as questionable with a wrist injury, while also getting divorced during the offseason. “I’ve never quite seen something like this unfold,” stated Bryant this week about the tumultuous offseason. Los Angeles is 17-24 ATS on Sundays the past two-plus seasons.

The Lakers are definitely sporting a new-look this season in trading away forward Lamar Odom, while starting their first year under the direction of coach Mike Brown. Los Angeles split last season’s two games with Chicago, picking up a 98-91 win as eight-point home favorites inside the Staples Center on Nov. 23, 2010. It’s important to note that the ‘under’ has cashed in the last three meetings and 7-3 in the last 10. Center Andrew Bynum will not be on the floor Sunday due to serving a four-game suspension for an altercation during the playoffs when the team was eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks.