NBA Picks: Chicago Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Chicago Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Thursday, 12/19/13, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma City -12.5
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma City -13
Opening Total: 193
Current Total: 193
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the only team in the NBA with an undefeated record at home

Chicago is 1-6 SU and 0-7 ATS over its last seven games, which includes a 109-94 setback to the Houston Rockets as eight-point road underdogs Wednesday, while going OVER the betting total of 191. The Bulls are 3-10 SU on the road this season, including a dismal 0-5 mark versus Western Conference opponents, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA betting picks Thursday night. Offensively, the team is averaging just 81.6 points over its last seven games, with the roster shooting 37.8 percent from the field. Chicago is 14-13 SU and 9-18 ATS in December the last two-plus seasons.

The Bulls have dropped their last three games against the Thunder by an average of 16.7 points, which is important to consider when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Chicago’s front court of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah have gone a combined 15 of 48 from the floor for 41 points during that stretch, which is far different than the 25.1 points they average during the regular season.

Oklahoma City is averaging 110.3 points over its current seven-game winning streak, which includes a 105-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets as 2.5-point road favorites Tuesday, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Thunder have won all 12 of their games at Chesapeake Energy Arena thus far, including a perfect 3-0 mark when hosting Eastern Conference foes. Oklahoma City is 12-7 ATS as home favorites of 12.5 or more points since the 2011-12 campaign.

The Thunder have been getting tremendous production out of their bench this season, as their reserves are averaging 33.6 points per game. Oklahoma City is led by the play of forward Kevin Durant, who is averaging a league-high 28.6 points, while also grabbing 8.2 rebounds and dishing out 4.8 assists per game. It’s important to keep an eye on the battle of the boards, considering the franchise is 15-1 this year when out-rebounding the opposition.