Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics
Friday, 1/18/13, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Boston -3
Current Betting Line: Boston -3.5
Opening Total: 182
Current Total: 182
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Chicago has won back-to-back games, including a 107-105 overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors as 4.5-point road favorites, while going OVER the posted total of 183. The Bulls have been led by the play of forward Carlos Boozer on the offensive end, averaging 24.0 points and 10.8 rebounds over the last eight games. “We all want to play much better in 2013,” commented Boozer this week. He ranks fifth in the NBA and first in the Eastern Conference with 21 double-doubles. Chicago is 9-6 ATS on the road this season, which is important to consider when making your pro basketball picks Friday night.
The Bulls are 11-5 overall away from the United Center this year, including a 10-1 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago has split the first two meetings in this series, with both games coming at home. Center Joakim Noah has been supplying the team with plenty of energy on each side of the floor, averaging 12.3 rebounds over his last seven contests. It’s also important to note that this franchise has won 13 consecutive road games when playing on this particular day of the week.
Boston had its six-game win streak snapped in a 90-78 setback to the New Orleans Hornets as 8.5-point home favorites Wednesday, while going UNDER the total for the seventh time in eight opportunities. “We refused to go in the paint,” stated Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. “We settled for jump shots.” The Celtics have won 11 of the last 14 meetings in this series, which includes games in the playoffs, as they look to gain revenge from a 100-89 loss to the Bulls as 1.5-point road underdogs on Dec. 18. Boston is 9-10 ATS at home this season, with the UNDER going 10-9 in that situation.
The Celtics are led by a trio of players averaging in double figures, with forward Paul Pierce scoring a team-high 19.4 points per game. Boston is 13-7 overall at the TD Garden, including a 6-4 mark versus conference rivals. Point guard Rajon Rondo is someone to watch on the offensive end, as he scored a game-high 26 points in the last meeting in this series.
Sports bettors will likely back the Bulls due to their 8-3-1 ATS mark in the last 12 meetings, while the Celtics are 1-5 ATS after a straight-up loss of 10 or more points.
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