NBA Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls
Monday, 3/17/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma City -2.5
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma City -2.5
Opening Total: 193
Current Total: 194
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Chicago Bulls F Carlos Boozer has put up solid career numbers against the Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City had its two-game winning streak snapped last time out, as it dropped a 109-86 decision to the Dallas Mavericks as 7.5-point home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total for the third time in four contests. The Thunder are 20-11 SU on the road this season, including a 9-2 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents, which is important to consider when making your NBA betting picks. Oklahoma City is 3-1 SUATS as road favorites of three or fewer points the last two-plus seasons.

Despite last night’s loss, the Thunder still lead the Northwest Division by 5.5 games, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Oklahoma City has compiled a dominating 43-13 SU record in bounce-back games since the start of the 2011-12 campaign. Offensively, the team is led by the play of forward Kevin Durant, who has scored 25 or more points in 31 consecutive games.

Chicago has won two games in a row, including a 94-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings as eight-point home favorites last Saturday, while going UNDER the betting total of 190. The Bulls have four of five probable starters averaging in double figures, with forward Carlos Boozer leading the way at 14.1 points a contest. In 28 career games versus the Thunder, Boozer has averaged 19.0 points and 10.5 rebounds. The team is 21-12 SU at home this season, including a 7-6 mark versus Western Conference foes. Chicago is 1-3 SUATS as home underdogs of three or fewer points.

The Bulls have dropped their last four meetings against the Thunder, including a 107-95 road defeat on Dec. 19, with Durant pouring in 32 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Since the calendar turned to 2014, Chicago has won a conference-best 25 games, which is two wins more than the Brooklyn Nets over that span. It’s important to point out that the franchise is 25-2 SU on the year when putting up 96 or more on the scoreboard.