Posted on
3/7/2008 5:44:32 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Celtics Look to Halt Bulls Late Playoff Push
By Eric Williams
While the Chicago Bulls, (24-36 SU, 26-34 ATS, 30-28-2 O/U), are seeking to sneak into playoff position with a late-season push, the only thing on the minds of the Boston Celtics, (47-12 SU, 34-23-2 ATS, 27-31-1 O/U), these days is ‘takin’ care of business’ as they head down the stretch run of the quickly closing regular season.
"All these games count," said Celtics team leader Kevin Garnett. "We are trying to get home-court advantage. ... All these games are huge for us."
The Celtics have won seven of their last ten games and six consecutive contests coming into tonight’s matchup while the Bulls have gone a modest 5-5 in their last ten games and are seeking their first three-game winning streak against the Celtics after beating the Memphis Grizzlies 112-97 and the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-86 in their last two contests on Tuesday and Thursday night.
The Bulls have covered the spread in six of their last ten games and two straight while the Celtics have struggled to cover in their last ten, going just 3-6-1 against the spread during this time.
Chicago will play without forward Tyrus Thomas, who will sit out Friday as he serves the second and final game of a team-imposed suspension for skipping practice Wednesday.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
The Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog.
The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Central.
The Celtics are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
The Over is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 vs. NBA Atlantic.
The Over is 7-1 in Celtics last 8 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
The Favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Analysis: While there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Celtics are going to win this game, I don’t see them beating the Bulls by the 12 points it will take to cover this spread tonight. Take the hungry Bulls to keep this game within the spread with another solid effort tonight.
NBA Free Picks: Chicago + 11½ Points/Under 197 Total Points
08:05 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Chicago Bulls +11½ -110
Boston Celtics -11½ -110
Over 197 -110
Under 197 -110
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