Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics Betting Preview

Opening Line: Bulls +6.5 / Celtics -6.5 O/U 195

Time: 8 PM EST Thursday January 14, 2010 on TNT

Tonight the Boston Celtics host the streaking Chicago Bulls. The Celtics lead the Atlantic Division with a 9 game lead over the Toronto Raptors and are coming off a win, but are only 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Bulls are in 2nd place in the Central Division 12 games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers, have won 2 in a row, and are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

This season the Celtics are 11-5 at home and 16-20 ATS and the Bulls are 3-13 on the road and 16-17-3 ATS.

In their last games the Celtics beat the New Jersey Nets 111-87 last night and the Bulls crushed the Detroit Pistons 120-87 on Monday night.

The Celtics have already beaten the Bulls twice this season, but tonight they will be without Kevin Garnett and may be without Rasheed Wallace.

Even though the Bulls have won 2 in a row the wins have come over the weak teams of Detroit and Minnesota.

With a depleted frontcourt the Celtics will have to get strong games from guards Paul Pierce (18.4 ppg), Ray Allen (16.4 ppg), and Rajon Rondo. Boston also has to pick up the slack on the boards and not allow Bulls' C Joakim Noah (12.2 rpg), who ranks 2nd in the NBA in rebounding, to dominate the glass.

These guys can get more open looks if C Kendrick Perkins (12.4 ppg 8.2 rpg), who leads the NBA in FG% at 63.96%, can score some buckets inside. Luckily for the Celtics the Bulls do not have much of an inside presence.

The Bulls will have to play solid defense tonight, as they have struggled to score all season only ranking 27th averaging 93.6 ppg.

The Bulls need G Derrick Rose (18.6 ppg) and Luol Deng (17.4 ppg) to have good scoring games, as these 2 are the only guys in the starting lineup that are averaging in double figures.

Bulls SG John Salmons (13.3 ppg) has been solid off the bench and the Bulls could really use some offense from him tonight, but he has struggled against Boston this season only going 4/21 from the field for 12 points in 2 games against the Celtics.

Chicago is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games, 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games against teams in the Eastern Conference, and 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog. Boston is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite, 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against teams in the Eastern Conference, and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games.

Our Selection : The Bulls catch the Celtics playing back to back with travel. Chicago while losing 3 out of their last 4 straight did cover 3 of those games. Boston still playing with a short bench. Take Chicago +6.5


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