Posted on 3/7/2008 3:41:53 PM

NBA Betting Preview - The New Baby Bulls, Minus Tyrus

By BetUS Staff

NBA betting has been kind to the Chicago Bulls this past month. But one of their best players has gone and gotten himself into trouble.

Tyrus Thomas was suspended for two games by the Bulls after he missed Wednesday’s practice. Chicago played at home Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers; Thomas was also due to miss Friday’s matchup at the Garden against the Boston Celtics.

Attitude problems have plagued the Bulls all season long. Some of that comes with inexperience; rookie Joakim Noah was also suspended earlier this year (by team vote, no less), and according to coach Jim Boylan, Noah’s attendance record has been spotty as well.

But at least Thomas and Noah have been playing well. This is Thomas’ second year in the NBA out of Louisiana State; he’s collected 14.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per 40 minutes, with a healthy smattering of blocks and steals. These numbers are most similar to Shawn Kemp’s early production, but with one significant difference: Kemp was already getting 30 minutes per game as a sophomore with the Seattle SuperSonics. Thomas is having trouble staying on the floor, playing just 17.2 minutes per game this season.

There was hope for Thomas and Bulls supporters when Chicago got involved in that massive deadline trade that sent Joe Smith and Ben Wallace to Cleveland and brought in Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes. Thomas started seven games in a row; Chicago went 3-4 straight up and 4-3 against the spread during that span. However, Thomas’ minutes dwindled and Gooden eventually took over the starting role.

Gooden (14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds/40) and little-used Cedric Simmons, another Cleveland expat, are the only natural power forwards left on the Thomas-less Bulls roster as they prepare to face the mighty Celtics. They will have their hands full against the very imposing Boston frontline of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and team enforcer Kendrick Perkins. The Celtics also have considerable depth in the paint, having signed former Bulls forward P.J. Brown for the playoff drive.

Tip-off for this matchup is at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, and it’s the first game of a doubleheader on ESPN. Check the NBA Betting odds section for the latest lines.

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