Posted on
1/3/2008 4:27:36 PM
NBA Wagering - Portland Trailblazers at Chicago Bulls
By Eric Williams
Tonight’s matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls is an interesting look at two teams whose near-futures may be linked together because of their swap of young power forwards, (LaMarcus Aldridge, 18.1 ppg and Tyrus Thomas, 6.1 ppg) two years ago, though right now, that would be about the only thing the two franchises have in common.
The Trailblazers (18-13 SU, 19-12 ATS, 13-18 O/U) have been the biggest surprise in the league this season, winning 13 straight games while displaying the type of maturity under head coach Nate McMillan that I have rarely seen in such a young team in nearly four decades of basketball viewing.
On the other hand, not often have I seen a team with so much potential and so many high expectations, fail as miserably as the Chicago Bulls (11-18 SU, 10-19 ATS, 14-15 O/U) have in the early going this season.
After getting off to an absolutely miserable start, one that caused head coach Scott Skiles to be fired, the Bulls have now won three of their last four games while scoring at least 100 points on each occasion, including a 109-97 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats last night.
While the Trailblazers had the thrilling 13-game winning streak ended with a road loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday, the team bounced right back by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 90-79 on Wednesday.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks.
Key Blazers Trends
The Trail Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
The Trail Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. Eastern Conference.
The Trail Blazers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Key Bulls Trends
The Bulls are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Bulls are 3-7 ATS in their last ten games overall.
The Bulls are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games playing on zero days rest.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 5-1 in Trail Blazers last six road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
The Over is 5-2 in Trail Blazers last seven games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
The Over is 4-0 in Bulls last four vs. NBA Northwest.
The Over is 4-0-1 in Bulls last five vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
The Trail Blazers are 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings.
The Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Chicago.
Analysis: While the Bulls are playing much better basketball right now than at any point of this season, I just don’t think they’re much better than the Blazers right now. I know for a fact that they’re certainly not as cohesive a team as the Blazers. Take the Blazers to cover the spread while winning outright against the Bulls who are just 5-9 ATS at home this season.
NBA Free Picks: Blazers 103 Bulls 98
08:05 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Portland Trailblazers +3 -110
Chicago Bulls -3 -110
Over 187 -110
Under 187 -110
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