Unbeaten Blazers test NBA odds in Chicago
By: Adam Markowitz
NBA betting action in the month of November tips off at the United Center, as the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers have at it in a game that should be a great barometer for both teams this year.
The Blazers have certainly had no problems as of yet, as they have come out of the gate flying at 3-0 SU. They are also one of the three teams in the NBA that have yet to suffer an ATS defeat coming into Sunday's action, as they are 2-0-1 ATS.
This is the third game of a four game road trip for Portland. Stops at the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks ended with wins of 98-88 and 100-95 respectively, while the final stop is going to be on Tuesday night at the Bradley Center against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Defensively, the Trail Blazers are once again proving to be one of the stingier teams in the normally wide open Western Conference. Teams are only shooting 43.6 percent from the field this year against them, and they are slowing teams down by limiting fast break points.
Dominating the glass has really helped as well. Portland owns a 45.3-32.3 edge right now over its foes, and though we can't expect that type of dominance to run through the entire season, a relatively undersized Chicago team might find itself in some real trouble. Both F LaMarcus Aldridge and C Marcus Camby are averaging 9.7 boards per night, which is starting to make us wonder where C Greg Oden is going to fit in on this team if he ever is truly healthy enough to make a big impact.
Five different scorers are averaging double digits per game right now, but none are better than "The Natural," Brandon Roy. The fifth year guard out of Washington certainly looks like he has no ill effects of that knee injury he suffered in the playoffs last year that kept him out of the majority of the series against the Phoenix Suns. He is averaging 25.0 points per game on the season and is coming off of his best game of the year, a 29 point performance against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Bulls have only played two games this year and have had two totally different results to show for it. They were crushed 106-95 at the Oklahoma City Thunder, but came home three nights later and beat the Detroit Pistons 101-91.
If we didn't know that G Derrick Rose was already a star at the outset of this season, we certainly know now. Rose is averaging 33.5 points per game and put 39 on the board against the Pistons. He is doing well with the other facets of his game as well with 10 boards and 13 assists against nine turnovers in two outings.
Save C Joakim Noah, there really isn't much in terms of a rebounding presence on the court at any given time for the men from the Windy City. Noah is averaging his 18.0 boards per game in two games this year, and F James Johnson did rip down nine boards in his first action of the year against Detroit, but no one else is even averaging six rebounds per game. That discrepancy could really be the destructive factor against Portland on Monday night.
Last season, it was all about the home teams. Portland scored a 122-98 domination of the Bulls at the Rose Garden, but Chicago won 115-111 in overtime here in the Windy City last year, narrowly covering the 3 ½-point NBA betting line. That stopped Portland's three game cover streak and five game SU winning streak that dated back to the end of the 2006-2007 season.
Be sure to keep it locked on Pinnacle Sports for some of the best NBA lines on the internet, as they will have all of the great NBA betting action covered for all of Monday night's games.
Tips and Trends
Portland Trailblazers at Chicago Bulls
TRAILBLAZERS: Portland is tied for the best record in the Western Conference at 3-0 SU. The Blazers have yet to lose a game ATS this year, as they are 2-0-1 ATS. Portland is playing well on the road, as they've yet to play a game at home yet this season. The Blazers played the Bulls tough last year, winning 1 game and going to OT in the other meeting. All 5 starters are averaging double figures in scoring this year, led by G Brandon Roy. Roy is averaging 25 PPG to start the season. F LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging 15.7 PPG and a team high 9.7 RPG this year. F Nicolas Batum seems to be the most improved player on the Blazers roster, as he's been amazing both offensively and defensively this season. The Trail Blazers are 17-8-2 ATS in their last 27 road games overall. Portland is 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU win. The Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played on 1 days rest. Portland is 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games against the Eastern Conference.
Trailblazers 9-4 ATS last 13 games against the NBA Central.
Under is 7-0 last 7 games overall.
Key Injuries - C Greg Oden (knee) is out.
Projected Score: 90
BULLS: (-1.5, O/U 190) Chicago is off to a 1-1 star, both SU and ATS this season. The Bulls lost their season opener on the road at Oklahoma City before coming home and beating Detroit by double digits. Chicago is averaging 98 PPG this year, thanks to all world G Derrick Rose. Rose is averaging 33.5 PPG to start the season. Besides his scoring prowess, Rose is also averaging 5 RPG and 6.5 APG so far this year. C Joakim Noah is 2nd on the team in scoring, averaging 16.5 PPG while shooting better than .50% from the field. Noah has been unbelievable rebounding the ball this year, averaging an astounding 18 RPG this year. F Luol Deng is in a shooting slump to start the year, as he's shooting just 30% from the field to start the season. The Bulls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Chicago is 25-11 ATS in their last 36 games following an ATS win. The Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bulls are 5-2 ATS last 7 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Over is 9-1 last 10 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Key Injuries - F Carlos Boozer (hand) is out.
Projected Score: 99 (SIDE of the Day)