NBA Betting: Portland vs Chicago
Friday NBA betting action sees the Portland Trail Blazers taking on the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, IL. Cappers picks provides free NBA handicapping tips all season long.
The Chicago Bulls will look to nurse Derrick Rose back to health after his promising performance Wednesday night.
NBA Basketball Odds
Portland Trail Blazers (17-5) vs. Chicago Bulls (13-8)
Friday, Dec. 12
7:00 PM ET
United Center/Chicago, IL
ESPN
NBA Betting Odds: CHI -2.5
NBA O/U Odds: 198.5
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The Trail Blazers will attempt to shut him down with one of the best interior defenses in the game.
Portland
The Trail Blazers are coming off arguably their worst performance of the year. They only put up a season-low 82 points in their 90-82 loss to the Timberwolves.
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Star forward Lamarcus Aldridge shot a season worst 3-14 from the field and only had 10 points. Portland had their two worst scoring quarters of the season as well, dropping 15 and 16 points.
If the Blazers are going to get back on track, expect huge games from Aldridge and Lillard. Damian Lillard is averaging 19.8 points per game along with 6.2 assists. Aldridge is averaging 21.7 points per game along with 9.9 rebounds.
Although statistically speaking Aldridge almost always has a huge game after a low-scoring night, he is only averaging 11.0 points per game in his career against the Bulls and shooting a woeful 27.9% from the field.
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If Portland wants to be able to bounce from their loss to Minnesota the other night, they will have to control the interior against the Bulls frontline of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol.
Chicago
Last game Derrick Rose showed everyone he is starting to get back to his old self by dropping 23 points in 24 minutes. Along with that he had four assists and four rebounds. His stats were not only that impressive for only 24 minutes, but also he appeared to be getting his confidence back in his knee.
The Bulls blew out the Brooklyn Nets by 25 on Wednesday, this game following their ten point loss to Golden State.
Rose is averaging 16.2 points per game this year to go along with 5.1 assists.
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The bright spot for Bulls’ fans has not been Derrick Roses’ return, but the play of small forward Jimmy Butler. Butler has proved to be an exceptional perimeter defender and has the ability to create shots when no other scorers’ are on the floor.
NBA Handicapping Trends:
- Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. NBA Central
- Blazers are 7-2-1 ATS in their last ten games following a game when their opponent scores 100+ their previous game
- Bulls are 3-7 ATS in their last ten Friday games
- Bulls are 0-6 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a winning record
NBA Gambling Prediction
I expect the Trail Blazers to get back on track and continue their dominance of the NBA Central division. They played absolutely horrible basketball last game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and I would bet that it will not happen again.
Free 4* NBA Betting Pick: POR +2.5
The most interesting matchup will be in the front court. Gasol and Noah vs. Aldridge and Lopez.
Trail Blazers 104, Bulls 97
I think this will be won by the Blazers along with a huge performance from Aldridge.
Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.
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