NBA Betting Odds – Chicago at Portland

Bulls (+7) vs. Trail Blazers (-7)
(O/U) 185
November 23, 10:00 PM ET

The Portland Trail Blazers (10-5 SU, 9-6 ATS, 4-11 O/U) need to find their consistency after alternating wins and losses in each of their last five games.

The Chicago Bulls  (6-6 SU, 4-8 ATS, 3-9 O/U) are in the exact same boat, winning and losing games at a maddening pace while going  5-5 SU over their last 10 games.

Tonight, both teams will be trying to pick up a victory when they battle at the Rose Garden at 10 PM ET.

Chicago
Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Northwest.
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Bulls are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. loss.
Under is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 overall.

The Bulls have dropped two straight games and were defeated by the Denver Nuggets 112-93 on Saturday, failing to cover the NBA point spread as 8-point underdogs.

Derrick Rose shot 11-for-20 from the field with a team-high 28 points in the loss but the Bulls allowed the Nuggets to shoot 48.8 percent from the field while giving up a combined 70 points to Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith.

Chicago has had trouble scoring the ball all season long, averaging just 90.8 points per contest (27th) but have been very good defensively, ranking ninth, allowing just 94.8 points per game.

This week, head coach Vinny Del Negro, said his team’s effort has been a problem lately.

Portland
Trail Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Trail Blazers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite.
Under is 7-1 in Trail Blazers last 8 games as a home favorite.

The Blazers routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 106-78 on Saturday, easily covering the NBA point spread as 13-point home favorites, getting double figures in scoring from all five starters, led by Martell Webster’s double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds.

The Blazers have been phenomenal defensively this season, allowing a league-low 88.3 points per game. Unfortunately, the team has struggled in a big way offensively, averaging just 95.4 points per game, 25th overall.

Analysis: I like the Under to play out in this contest with two with two of the most offensively-challenged– and top defensive ballclubs – squaring off against each other.

The Under has gone a perfect 5-0 in Portland’s last five games as a favorite and 7-1 in their last eight games as a home favorite. Chicago has also played Under their set O/U totals in five of their last six contests, making this the best play for this game in my estimation.

I also like the Blazers to cover the NBA points spread at home in this matchup after going a scorching 5-1 ATS in their last six games following an ATS win and 7-2 ATS in their last nine games as a favorite.

The Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall and just don’t have enough offensive ability to keep up with the Blazers in this contest.

NBA Free Picks: Under 185 Total Points/Blazers -7 Points