Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Bobcats
The Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Bobcats will meet on the court at Time Warner Cable Arena on Tuesday in a battle of division rivals.
The Magic lost to Oklahoma City 102-74 as a 6-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (193).
Dwight Howard led Orlando with 20 points and Mickael Piertus had 15 points.
The Bobcats were defeated 93-90 by the Bulls last time out, as 7-point underdogs. That game's 183 points made it OVER the posted total of 176.5.
Boris Diaw had 20 points with seven rebounds and five assists in that loss.
Team records:
Orlando: 5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS
Charlotte: 3-3 SU, 5-1 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 2-8
Before playing Cleveland are 6-4
After playing Oklahoma City are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Detroit are 3-7
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Orlando's last 8 games when playing Charlotte
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Charlotte is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Charlotte's last 8 games when playing Orlando
Charlotte is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Orlando home to Cleveland, Wednesday, November 11
Charlotte at Detroit, Wednesday, November 11
Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat
The fans at AmericanAirlines Arena will be treated to a game between the Washington Wizards and the Miami Heat when they take their seats on Tuesday.
The Wizards lost to Phoenix 102-90 as a 2-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (216).
Gilbert Arenas and Andray Blatche each netted 20 points for Washington in the loss.
The Heat were badly outplayed in the fourth quarter, but their lead was too large as they held on for a 96-88 victory over the Nuggets on Friday. The Heat won that game as a slight 1-point underdog, while the teams played UNDER the posted total of 201.5.
Jermaine O'Neal had 18 points with seven rebounds from 8-for-11 shooting, and Dwyane Wade added a team-high 22 points.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 4 straight games.
Miami has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 2-5 SU, 2-5 ATS
Miami: 5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
Miami most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Cleveland are 6-4
After playing Denver are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games
Miami is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 7 games at home
Next up:
Washington home to Detroit, Saturday, November 14
Miami home to Cleveland, Thursday, November 12
Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls
The Denver Nuggets and the Chicago Bulls will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at United Center.
The Nuggets were defeated 125-100 by the Hawks last time out as 3-point underdogs. That game's 225 points sailed OVER the posted total of 210.5.
Carmelo Anthony collected a game-high 30 points, and Chauncey Billups added 27 in a losing effort.
Joakim Noah poured in 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for a double-double, helping the Bulls pull out a 93-90 win over the Bobcats. The 183 points made it OVER the posted total of 176.5.
John Salmons added a game-high 27 points for the Bulls.
Current streak:
Denver has lost 2 straight games.
Chicago has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Denver: 5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS
Chicago: 4-2 SU, 2-4 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Toronto are 7-3
After playing Charlotte are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 8 games on the road
Denver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing at home against Denver
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
Next up:
Denver at Milwaukee, Wednesday, November 11
Chicago at Toronto, Wednesday, November 11
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at FedExForum.
The Trail Blazers defeated Minnesota 116-93 as a 13-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (188.5).
Andre Miller scored a game-high 21 points for Portland and LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points an 10 rebounds.
The Grizzlies clawed their way back but fell 113-110 to the Clippers on Saturday, as 4-point underdogs. That game's combined score made it OVER the posted total of 202.
Rudy Gay netted a game-high 33 points in a losing cause.
Current streak:
Portland has won 2 straight games.
Memphis has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Portland: 4-3 SU, 4-3 ATS
Memphis: 1-6 SU, 3-4 ATS
Portland most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Minnesota are 4-6
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Houston are 3-7
After playing LA Clippers are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 8 games on the road
Portland is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing Portland
Memphis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Memphis is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Next up:
Portland at Minnesota, Wednesday, November 11
Memphis at Houston, Wednesday, November 11
Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at American Airlines Center.
Luis Scola had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds on Friday, leading the Rockets to a 105-94 victory over the Thunder. The Rockets covered the 6.5-point spread, and the 199 points made it OVER the posted total of 188.5.
Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry each had 21 points in that win.
Dirk Nowitzki tossed in 29 points and hauled down nine rebounds in leading the Mavericks over the Raptors 129-101 last time out. The Mavericks covered the 7.5-point spread, and the 230 points sailed OVER the posted total of 202.5.
Jason Terry added 19 points and Shawn Marion collected 18 in that victory.
Team records:
Houston: 4-2 SU, 5-1 ATS
Dallas: 4-2 SU, 4-2 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Memphis are 8-2
After playing Oklahoma City are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing San Antonio are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games at home
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Dallas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Houston
Next up:
Houston home to Memphis, Wednesday, November 11
Dallas at San Antonio, Wednesday, November 11
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at ARCO Arena.
The Thunder upset Orlando 102-74 as a 6-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (193).
Kevin Durant netted a game-high 28 points for Oklahoma City and Russell Westbrook chipped in with 17 points and 10 assists in the win.
The Kings defeated Golden State 120-107 as a 3-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (215.5).
Tyreke Evans scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Kings, while Beno Udrih added 20 points in the win.
Current streak:
Sacramento has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Oklahoma City: 3-3 SU, 4-2 ATS
Sacramento: 3-4 SU, 4-3 ATS
Oklahoma City most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing LA Clippers are 3-7
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Houston are 2-8
After playing Golden State are 4-6
After a win are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Oklahoma City's last 16 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Oklahoma City is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Sacramento's last 16 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Sacramento is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Next up:
Oklahoma City at LA Clippers, Wednesday, November 11
Sacramento home to Houston, Friday, November 13
Denver (5-2, 4-3 ATS) at Chicago (4-2, 2-4 ATS)
The suddenly slumping Nuggets continue their six-game Eastern Conference road swing with a stop at the United Center for a battle with the Bulls.
Denver ripped off five straight victories to begin the season, including wins of 18 and 28 points to start this road trip, but has since hit the skids in losses to the Heat (96-88 as a one-point road favorite) and Hawks (125-100 as a three-point underdog). In Saturday’s 25-point loss in Atlanta, the Nuggets shot just 41 percent from the field (2-for-10 from three-point range), while the Hawks made 51.7 percent of their shots (8-for-19 from three-point range). After averaging 115.4 points during its five-game winning streak to tip off the season, Denver has averaged 94 ppg in the last two.
Chicago carries a three-game winning streak into this contest, with all three coming by a total of six points. The Bulls beat Milwaukee 83-81 a week ago today, stunned Cleveland 86-85 on Thursday and then edged Charlotte 93-90 on Saturday, but they cashed just once (in Cleveland as an 11½-point underdog). Chicago, which has failed to cover in four of its last five games, has been riding its defense early in the year, yielding 90 points or less in four of its six games.
These non-conference foes meet twice each season, and the home team has swept the two-game series the last three years (5-1 ATS). Last year, the Nuggets crushed the Bulls 114-101 as an 8½-point favorite, but the Bulls returned the favor at the United Center with a 116-99 rout as a 1½-point underdog. Still, going back to 2003, Denver is on a 9-3 ATS roll against Chicago.
Despite stumbling in its last two games, Denver is still on positive pointspread surges of 25-10 overall, 9-3 on the road, 7-2 after a defeat and 6-2 when coming off a double-digit loss. However, George Karl’s club has failed to cover in 10 of its last 13 against Eastern Conference opponents and five of six versus the Central Division. Conversely, Chicago is 12-3-1 ATS in its last 16 against the Western Conference, but is otherwise in pointspread funks of 1-4 overall, 1-6-1 at home and 1-3-1 after two days of rest.
The over is 16-6 in Denver’s last 22 games against the Central Division, but the under is 6-2 in its last eight on the highway and 8-3 in its last 11 on Tuesday. Chicago is on “over” runs of 4-1 against the Northwest Division, 5-1 after a SU win, 7-0 against teams with a winning record and 8-3 when playing on two days of rest.
Finally, the winning team has scored at least 109 points in each of the last seven meetings in this rivalry, all of which have flown over the total. The over is also 5-1 in the last six head-to-head clashes in Chicago.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER and OVER
Houston (4-2, 5-1 ATS) at Dallas (4-2 SU and ATS)
In an early-season showdown for first place in the Southwest Division, the Rockets make their first trip of the year to American Airlines Center for a clash with Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks.
These teams are off to identical starts, as both lost their season opener, won their next three, then suffered an overtime loss in Game 5 and now are coming off a blowout home victory. For Houston, it followed up Wednesday’s 103-102 overtime home loss to the Lakers with Friday’s 105-94 rout of Oklahoma City, covering as a 6½-point home favorite. The Rockets have cashed in five straight games since coming up a half-point short in a 96-87 season-opening loss at Portland as an 8½-point road underdog.
Dallas had its three-game winning streak snapped in Wednesday’s 114-107 overtime loss at New Orleans as a four-point road pup, but bounced back with a 129-101 rout of Toronto as a 7½-point home favorite on Saturday. The Mavericks have covered in four of their last five, and after scoring between 91 and 96 points in their first four games (93.5 ppg) they’ve tallied 107 and 129 in the last two. However, the defense has surrendered 114 and 101 points in the last two after giving up 80, 84 and 85 during the three-game winning streak.
These rivals split their four meetings last year, with each winning and covering once at home and once on the road. Still, Dallas is 8-3 SU and ATS in the last 11 meetings, 11-4 ATS in the last 15 clashes and 5-2 ATS in the last seven at American Airlines Center. Finally, the ‘dog is 6-1 SU and ATS in the last seven head-to-head battles, and the winner has cashed in each of the last 15.
The Rockets’ five straight spread-covers have all come against Western Conference opponents, while the Mavericks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven divisional games and 41-20-1 ATS in their last 62 when playing on two days of rest.
Houston has topped the total in five straight games, but the under is 5-1 in its last six on Tuesday and 44-21-1 in its last 66 against Southwest Division rivals. Meanwhile, Dallas is 5-1 “over” in its last six divisional games, but the final three Mavericks-Rockets contests last year stayed under the total, which followed a 4-1 “over” streak in this series.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS
Dwight-Might
By SportsPic
A pair of Southeast Division rivals go at it in Charlotte, N.C. Tuesday when the Bobcats host Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. Bobcats off a 93-90 loss at Chicago moving the record to 3-3 on the season with a profitable 5-1 mark at the betting window haven't been overly productive on the offensive end scoring 85.3 PPG on 38.6% shooting from the field, 32.0% from long range. However, Bobcats are great on the defensive end surrendering just 87.7 PPG third best in the league. Meanwhile, Magic without All-Stars Vince Carter (ankle), Rashard Lewis (suspension), Ryan Anderson (ankle) and shooting a lowly 36.8% suffered a devastating 102-74 loss at Oklahoma City bringing their record to 5-2 on the season cashing four of the seven contests (4-3 ATS). Despite the horrendous showing on Sunday Orlando still nets an average 103.7 PPG on 46.3% from the field, 39.1% from outside. Orlando swept the series last year but split the four games at the betting window and enters the contest cashing just three of ten encounters in Charlotte (3-7 ATS). May not be wise going against Dwight and company here. Magic have lost back-2-back regular season road games only twice the past two season, were 3-0 ATS on the highway last year after scoring 85 or less in the previous road game and enter a perfect 10-0 ATS following a 10 point road loss. Total players should note the 'Under' has prevailed in 7-of-8 meetings including 4-0 in Charlotte.
NBA Round-Up for Tuesday
by Dan Bebe
Sometimes we all need to just stop and tip our cap when a player sets the bar (and, in the process, destroys a wager that looked pretty good), and yesterday, that player was Steve Nash.
Maybe I should rephrase -- in this particular case, we really had a player RE-set the bar, given his string of mind-blowing performances. Last night, Phoenix rallied from 11 down at halftime, and 8 down with 5 minutes to go, thanks in large part to Steve Nash punching his ticket to another All-Star game in one night with 21 points and 20 assists. The season is only 2 weeks old, but Nash leads the League in assists per game with 12.9, 1.3 higher than his previous career mark for a season. He's also shooting 52.5% from the field, and almost 93% from the foul line. The only blemish on his numbers this year is the 4.6 in the turnover column, far and away the most he's given up in his time in the NBA.
Looking back, I still feel the line on that game (Philadelphia +2) was a trap, and without the contributions off the bench of Jared Dudley, that bet is an easy winner. Yes, Steve Nash got Dudley open, but his back-to-back three-pointers late in the 4th quarter proved to be the spark that woke up the rest of the Suns.
Sports Wagering
Bobcats/Magic - The Magic have looked a little out of sorts with three men racking up DNP's, and this line is OFF as a direct result of those injury concerns. Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson both missed the Magic's sulfur-bomb of a game in Oklahoma, as well as Rashard Lewis as he serves the remainder of his PED suspension. Still, it's tough to see this loaded Magic roster NOT bouncing back. The Bobcats have been very good at home, and might be the biggest home/road split team right now. The public is going to be backing the team they know more about, and a FAIR line on this game would be Magic by 6 or 7. If it opens lower than that, then we have a line movement situation on our hands. The Bobcats like to slow the game down, and if the Magic continue to play without 3 of their scorers, we should see Charlotte dictate the tempo fairly well, and the posted total will not eclipse the 193 mark. Keep an eye out for a potential Under opportunity.
Heat/Wizards - Miami is favored by 6.5 at home with a total of 187.5. I actually feel these numbers are pretty fair. Miami continues to play excellent basketball, and has stormed out of the gates to a 5-1 record, with a few of those wins I'd consider "quality" victories. They're coming off an 8 point win over the Denver Nuggets, and already beat the Wizards by 4 on the road. Of course, going on that model, Miami should be favored by 10, so oddsmakers feel the Wizards will put up a good fight in this one before falling late. I've been pretty disappointed in the Wizards since their season-opening win over the Mavs -- they seem to be settling for outside jumpers way too often, and it's extremely difficult to win consistently with that attack scheme unless you're the Orlando Magic and have Dwight Howard in the paint to clean up the mess. I lean to Miami to give Arenas all he can handle. In terms of the total, this is the LOWEST that we've seen for any Miami game all season long, so the oddsmakers may be starting to adjust after a 1-5 O/U record to start the year. I cap this final score at 186, so a VERY slight lean to the Under, but really not strong enough to make any moves, not without some line movement verification on our side.
Bulls/Nuggets - The Bulls are favored by 1.5 at home to the Nuggets with a total of 204. The first thought is that this line is a trap, and that everyone and their mother will take Nugs with the points, but right now Denver is struggling. They've lost back-to-back games on their current road trip, and most folks not named Carmelo have looked sluggish after the strong start. The Bulls have won 3 straight, knocking off Milwaukee, Cleveland and Charlotte, and the COMBINED victory margin of all 3 games is 6 points. Oddsmakers know Chicago has been playing close games lately, and they also know Denver is not the type of team to fold after 2 straight losses, so I actually think this line is pretty fair. The public is going to back the Nuggets, the sharps are going to back the Bulls, and we should see the line move a point or 1.5 over the course of the day. At the current line, I lean to the public side, but this is not one of those sides we're going to jump on in the early a.m. The total of 204 seems a point or two on the low side in this one. Chicago doesn't really have a "style", and Denver likes to play an up-tempo game. The only games the Nuggets have played that haven't featured a combined total over 200 were contests against Portland and Miami, veteran clubs that slow the game down. Strong lean to the Over.
Grizzlies/Blazers - Memphis has to feel better getting home after a dismal road trip, but today they have to face the Blazers. Memphis is getting 5.5 points with a total of 203. The Grizzlies recently completed an 0-5 swing around the west coast, and you just have to believe this team is going to be happy to get home and get a crowd behind them. They're 1-6 on the season, but 1-1 at home, suffering a rather discombobulated loss to the Pistons in their opener, then bouncing back with a nice win over the Raptors. I think Memphis plays Portland tough, as the Blazers aren't exactly blowing the doors off the building this year, either. They have won 2 straight, but those wins have come at the expense of a confused San Antonio club and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who appear to lack that certain road warrior attitude (and until they sign Mad Max, it's going to stay that way). Portland has, historically, been much worse away from home, and I feel getting 5.5 is a pretty solid deal for a Memphis club that might be looking down the barrel of the public betting less than 15% on them. Time will tell. The 203 total feels high for a Blazers game, but Memphis pushes the tempo at every opportunity, and we saw the Portland-Houston game hit 218, as the Blazers have a tendency to wrapped into other teams' style of play away from home. Slight lean to Memphis, slight lean to the Over.
Mavericks/Rockets - Mavs at home, favored by 6 with a total of 199. We'll start with the total on this one, as I think 199 is a pretty weak line. It seems like a poor effort, just figuring we'll see about 50 points in every quarter. Well, the Rockets are 5-1 to the Over so far this year, as they continue to push the ball at every opportunity, knowing they're not going to win a defensive struggle without their 7'6" behemoth in the middle. The Mavericks are generally a set-offense type of team, but they've been shooting the ball VERY well of late, even posting 129 points against the Raptors in a 63% shooting bonanza. After starting the year with 4 straight Under, the Mavs have logged 2 straight Overs, and I expect this contest to be similar. The Mavs are not a 41%-shooting team, which is what they were averaging over the first week-plus, and their team numbers are starting to average out. I look for another game shooting near 50% for Dallas, and I look for a well-coached Houston team to force Dallas to score to beat them. In terms of the side, I'm not sure I trust Houston enough on the road to stay within 6, so early lean to Dallas.
Kings/Thunder - Both of these teams have been playing better than people expected over the last few days. The Kings have won 2 straight after losing Kevin Martin to injury, and the Thunder are coming off a rogering of an undermanned Magic club. This should be an excellent match-up of young teams trying to prove their worth. The Thunder have the clear talent edge, and also the defensive mindset, but the Kings are playing on the "lost-comrade" adrenaline, and it's tough to say exactly how long it will last. Sacramento is getting 1.5 points at home with a total of 199.5. Sacramento has played 3 games at home, and they have all shot Over the total, which means one of two things -- either they're due for an Under, or they impose their high-scoring style on whoever comes into the building. It could also mean a little of both. These teams played in Oklahoma City to kick off the season, and the total ended at 191, but I expect the Kings to shoot the ball better in this one. The Thunder have shot 43% in both of their road games, and while I think the number will be slightly higher in this one due to Sacramento's lackluster defense, I would not be surprised to see the Kings pull off another upset (albeit, a small one) with a total that slips just Under the posted mark.
Fantasy Advice
Wilson Chandler - He was supposed to have his breakout fantasy year, but has been fairly disappointing so far, as have most of the Knicks. Chandler had a nice 17-point, 10-rebound effort last night, and officially climbed back onto the Danno Watch List. If he can continue to hit a few 3's, and mix in a steal and a block, we'll boost him to Pick-Up status.
Tips and Trends
Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls
Nuggets (-1.5, O/U 204): After starting the year 5-0 SU, the Nuggets have lost their last two games. The Nuggets are led by F Carmelo Anthony, who is 2nd in the NBA in scoring at over 31 PPG. Anthony has also become a team leader this year. PG Chauncey Billups is averaging just under 20 PPG. G JR Smith is expected to play after serving his suspension, which will only help an offense that has scored more than 110 points in 4 of their 7 games this season.
Nuggets are 9-3 ATS last 12 road games.
Over is 16-6 last 22 vs. NBA Central.
Key Injuries - PF Kenyon Martin (leg) is out.
G JR Smith (suspension) is probable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 104
Bulls: The Bulls are 4-2 SU to start the season, against a rough schedule. The Bulls have already played 4 teams that were playoff teams last year. Bulls have won all 3 of their home games, but are 1-2 ATS in those games. The Bulls are winning this year with defense. Take away the Boston game, and they are allowing 15 PPG less than they gave up last year. Offensively, the Bulls are balanced, as they have 4 starters that AVG double digits. F Luol Deng leads the way with nearly 17 PPG. The Bulls are looking to start 4-0 SU at home since 1997.
Bulls are 12-3-1 ATS last 16 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 7-0 last 7 meetings.
Key Injuries - F Tyrus Thomas (arm) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 106 (OVER - Total of the Day)