Posted on
1/16/2008 5:01:49 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Chicago at Miami
By Charles Jay
WHO: Chicago Bulls (14-22 SU, 12-24 ATS) at Miami Heat (8-29 SU, 14-23 ATS)
WHERE: American Airlines Arena in Miami
WHEN: Wednesday, January 16 at 7 PM ET
BetUS NBA betting odds: MIAMI -3.5, Total: 190
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:
* CHI has covered four of the last five meetings
* CHI has won seven of the last eight meetings SU
* Five of the last seven meetings have gone OVER the total
* CHI has covered six of the last eight meetings as the road team
* MIA has won 15 of the last 19 meetings SU as the home team
* Fourteen of the last 19 meetings in Miami have gone OVER the total
* CHI has had the rebounding edge in seven of the last eight meetings
Chicago has averaged 93.8 ppg, which is 25th in the league, and 90.6 ppg on the road, which is 29th in the circuit. The Bulls are the NBA's worst shooting team, at 41.8%. Chicago has averaged 21.8 assists per game against 14 turnovers. Kirk hinrich and Andres Nocioni are questionable for the game. Also:
* CHI has covered one of its last six games
* CHI has won two of its last six games SU
* CHI has played six of its last eight games OVER the total
Miami is just a slither below Chicago on the NBA's scoring list, averaging 93.7 ppg. The Heat has shot 46% from the floor as a team and is allowing opponents the same percentage. They are last in the league in rebounding (38.6 per game) and third from the bottom in free throw shooting (70%). Also:
* MIA has lost its last ten games SU
* MIA has covered one of its last 10 games
* MIA has played four of its last six games OVER the total
* MIA has covered one of its last eight home games
* MIA has lost 14 of its last 18 home games SU
* MIA has played five of its last six home games OVER the total
If you recall, the Bulls swept Miami out of last year's playoffs, when it looked like the Heat may have finally gotten itself together sufficiently enough to make a move. So Miami would like to attain a measure of revenge. However, that may not be possible. Pat Riley insists that Shaquille O'Neal is going to start for the Heat, although Shaq has offered no official comment as of this time. And it is doubtful that he can have very much of an impact even if he does play.
Riley may be looking upon the current five-game homestand as something that determines whether he'll stay in the job. Historically he has bailed out when facing situations that were adverse or if he lacked a healthy "aircraft carrier." This is no different. And many close to the Heat situation think he's greatly lost interest.
Chicago, as bad as they can be shooting the ball, has at least compiled a 5-5 SU record for new coach Jim Boylan. And as lackluster an effort as it was in the second half against Orlando last night, they still managed to shoot 47%. The Heat, on the other hand, may have given up.
The bottom line here is that, even though we'd love to see Nocioni in the Bulls' lineup, we couldn't lay the points with a team who has lost ten straight and covered one of its last eight at home.
Grab the 3.5 points with Chicago, the underdog in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: CHICAGO
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(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)