Jeff Benton
Your Friday freebie is the underdog Chicago Bulls to keep things close at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.
New York is off a big showdown win over borough-rival Brooklyn on Wednesday, and while Carmelo Anthony did play - and play well - Melo is still playing through a gimpy ankle injury.
Chicago has done a credible job while they wait for Derek Rose to rehab, and the Bulls come to NYC having won five of their last eight straight up. Chicago is 6-4 both straight up and against the spread away from the Windy City, and they are getting just enough to peak my interest in them plus the points against a Knickerbockers team that may just be a little content after their double-digit win over the Nets on Wednesday.
No arguing the Knicks 11-1 straight up and 9-3 against the spread mark at MSG this season, but with a possible letdown spot tonight, and Melo's ailing ankle perhaps slowing him down a tick, liking the points and the underdog Bulls to be there come the final buzzer.
Underdog play on Chicago.
2♦ CHICAGO
Chris Jordan
My free winner is on the Buffalo Bulls in their showdown in Seattle, Washington, where I think they're going to put a scare into the Washington State Cougars.
Buffalo comes to the Northwest riding a two-game winning streak after knocking off UW Milwaukee and Niagara. And even though the Bulls will be playing their first game since losing their starting point guard Jarod Oldham to a wrist injury, suffered in a practice, I still think they will provide the Cougars with a decent test.
What I noticed about Wazzou in a win against Jackson State was how poor the shooting was. Something tells me the Cougars play down to the level of competition, and aren't taking their lesser-considered opponents serious enough.
The Bulls come in on a 9-4 ATS streak after covering the spread, while the Cougars are mired in a 1-7 ATS slide on a neutral site.
4♦ BUFFALO
Matt Rivers
Friday night's free play is a blowout, as in the Warriors will BLOWOUT the Bobcats.
Charlotte came close to ending their losing streak at 12 earlier this week in Los Angeles, but the Bobcats blew a 3rd quarter 18-point lead in that one and lost by one. They promptly followed that loss up with a 17-point setback in Phoenix on Wednesday night to make it 13 straight losses and counting.
Add another tonight, as they play the Golden State Warriors, winners of seven of their last nine games. Golden State is off a loss at Sacramento on Wednesday, but they have won seven of their ten home games this year, and they did defeat Charlotte on December 10th, winning a 104-96 decision as the -4 1/2 point road favorite 11 days ago.
Not a lot going on right now for the Bobcats, as they have to be thinking of getting home for Christmas after their stop in Denver tomorrow night. I don't see Charlotte giving much resistance tonight.
Golden State to name it tonight in front of the home crowd.
4♦ GOLDEN STATE
Harry Bondi
Chicago (+6) over NY Knicks
The Knicks are the feel-good story of the NBA season thus far, but the pointspread has caught up to them and they are now one of the most "public" teams in the league. After covering eight of its first nine games, New York is 7-9 ATS in its last 16. The Bulls always play hard and are a tough team to beat by margin. They have only lost one game all season by double-digits because they play tremendous team defense. Let's take advantage of an inflated line and grab the generous points.