Tip off: 7:05 PM EST
Spread: CHI -2
Total: 179
M/L: CHI -125, PHI +105
Betting Odds taken from Bookmaker
The Bulls just continue to roll, and now sit at 18-5, atop the Central Division. They took out the Wizards by 10 last game on Monday night, as Derrick Rose outscored Wizards’ star point guard 35 to 20. Three other Bulls reached double figures, as the Bulls fell just 2 points shy of 100.
Rose is averaging a team high 23.3 points per game, and Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer combine for an additional 30 points. Veteran Rip Hamilton is also doing his thing, averaging 14 points per game on 45.3% field goal shooting. With a solid contribution from their core of those four players, the Bulls should be able to cover tonight’s two point spread.
The 76ers have been a bit of a surprise to some, but not to me. I saw this coming a long time ago, as the team has been slowly building steam over the last two seasons to become the team they are right now. With a 15-6 record, they took down the Orlando Magic Monday night, despite scoring only 74 points in a game in which the two teams combined for a mere 143 points, well below the total set by NBA oddsmakers.
The Sixers have been getting it done by committee. They have a league high seven players averaging double figures, though they have been without surprise standout Spencer Hawes for weeks, as the 7 footer has appeared in only 12 games so far in what could have been the kind of season to contend for the Most Improved Player award. Hawes or not, the Sixers are going to gi ve the Bulls a run for their money tonight and this may be the most exciting game on tonight’s schedule.
Bulls Betting Trends:
Chicago is 17-4 SU In their last 21 games and the total has gone OVER in 6 of their last 9 games. The Bulls are 8-3 SU in their last 11 road games and the total has gone OVER in 11 of their last 14 against the Philadelphia 76ers
Sixers Betting Trends:
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 5 games. It has also gone UNDER in all 5 of their last 5 home games and they are 12-2 SU in their last 14 at home.
Key Matchup:
Derrick Rose vs. Jrue Hoilday
For as great as Rose is, Holiday is an excellent defender with the speed and size to make a differnce. Still, even with Holiday’s stellar defense, Rose has averaged 22 points per game in his 11 career games against the Sixers, while shooting 51% from the floor, about 5% higher than his career average. Holiday is playing about the same as last year, though his assists are down. That is mostly due to Louis Williams’ increased role and the improvement of second year player Evan Turner. As Turner continues to evolve, expect Holiday’s usage to decrease further, but Holiday is still shooting 43% from the floor on 13.3 attempts per game and hitting 37.8% from behind the arc. The Sixers will need to keep Holiday heavily involved offensively so that Rose doesn’t get a second to breathe on defense.
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