TNT NBA Handicapping Predictions – Celtics vs Bulls
Derrick Rose participated in his first full contact practice in weeks Wednesday night, but he is still listed as questionable for this contest. Boston has been playing much better basketball of late.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls
9:30 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Bulls -6
Over/Under: 176
The Celtics have won seven of their last eight games. The Bulls have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but they have lost their last two games. Chicago has won two of the three meetings between these two teams so far this season.
Boston has picked up the defense quite a bit over the last few games. The Celtics haven’t given up 100 points in a game over their last eight games, and they have held their opponent below 80 points four times during that span. Kevin Garnett looked out of shape and tired at the beginning of the season, but he has been great of late.
Garnett has scored 20 points or more in five of the team’s last nine games. Brandon Bass has been a nice spark for the Celtics, and he has scored in double figures ten straight games. The Celtics are first in the NBA in field goal percentage defense.
Opponents shoot just 42% from the floor against Boston. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Chicago has done a nice job holding up while Derrick Rose has been out. It appears Rose is close to returning, but the actual date is still uncertain. The Bulls extremely deep frontcourt has helped them keep pace without Rose in the lineup. Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and Omer Asik form a terrific frontcourt that typically dominates the glass. Chicago is the best offensive rebounding team in the NBA.
John Lucas and C.J. Watson have done a great job holding their own at the point guard spot while Rose has been out. Richard Hamilton is finally getting healthy as well, and he should help this team quite a bit. Hamilton played 19 minutes in the Bulls loss against Houston Tuesday.
Boston had a tough game against San Antonio last night, and I don’t like them in this spot.
Look for Chicago to control this game.
Prediction: Chicago 91 Boston 81
