Posted on 3/26/2008 4:42:58 PM

NBA Basketball Betting Free Pick - Chicago at Philadelphia

By Charles Jay

WHO: Chicago Bulls (28-42 SU, 31-39 ATS) at Philadelphia 76ers (36-35 SU, 38-32-1 ATS)

WHERE: Wachovia Center in Philadelphia

WHEN: Wednesday, March 26 at 7 PM ET

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: Philadelphia -7.5, Total 200.5

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:

* PHIL has covered five of the last seven meetings

* Four of the last six meetings have gone OVER the total

* CHI has covered 11 of the last 15 meetings as the visitor

* CHI has won four of the last six meetings SU as the visitor

* CHI has had the shooting edge in four of the last six games

* CHI has had the rebounding edge in seven of the last ten games

* CHI has made more three-pointers in each of the last ten meetings

Chicago has averaged 7.7 steals per game, and its defense has yielded 44.8% shooting to opponents. The Bulls have scored an average of 94.7 ppg on the road, which ranks 21st in the league. Also:

* CHI has lost four of its last six games

* CHI has covered two of its last six games

* CHI has lost eight of its last nine road games SU

* CHI has played nine of its last 13 road games OVER the total

Philadelphia has averaged 20 assists per game against 13.9 turnovers. But the Sixers are burdened by bad free throw shooting, hitting just 70.5% of their attempts, last in the NBA. Also:

* PHIL has covered 16 of its last 23 games

* PHIL has won six of its last seven games SU

* PHIL has played four of its last six games OVER the total

* PHIL has covered 11 of its last 14 home games

* PHIL has won 11 of its last 12 home games SU

* PHIL has played eight of its last 11 home games UNDER the total

Well, obviously there is a scheduling advantage for Philly, which rested yesterday while Chicago won a 103-94 decision over Atlanta int he United Center. Chicago has been so-so in back-to-backs, going 4-6 ATS when the back end of those situations has come on the road.

In four straight meetings the visiting team has won, but we certainly see that trends changing here. Philadelphia is the team right now that is harmonious, with the fundamental advantages, especially on the defensive side of the ball, which has helped the Sixers climb into contention for the sixth playoff spot in the East, not to mention over the .500 mark. And we're not convinced that yielding over 100 points to Orlando and Denver in the last week, or covering just one of their last four games, is a harbinger of any considerable slide in Sixer fortunes.

Only one opponent in the last 12 has shot 50% against Philadelphia, and Chicago, still sitting in last place in the NBA shooting derby with 43%, isn't going to get extra hot. The Sixers are perfectly capable of stepping up on both ends. Andre Miller has taken a more active scoring role, topping the 20-mark in four of his last five. And Samuel Dalembert remains a deterrent in the middle, averaging 11.7 boards and 3.7 blocks in his last seven, and his value is magnified with the Bulls having essentially replaced Ben Wallace with rookie Joakim Noah.

There are in fact several defensive stoppers on the Philly roster, making this something less than an ideal match the Bulls at this time. We'll lay the points with the Sixers, the 7.5-point favorite in the BetUS NBA betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: PHILADELPHIA

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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.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)