NBA Handicapping – Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics
The big news in this one is whether or not the Chicago Bulls will get back reigning MVP Derrick Rose for their Friday night bout with the Boston Celtics who are reeling after back-back home losses.
Date/Time: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 13, 2012
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Broadcast: ESPN
Spread: Chicago -2.5
Over/Under: 177.5
Chicago managed to get by without Rose during their most recent game, but they surely hope to get him back the for their next one.
Rose watched from the bench with a sprained big left toe, as the Bulls (10-2) hosted a Washington team with the NBA’s worst record.
With backup point guard C.J. Watson also out of action, John Lucas III got his first career start in place of Rose and scored a career-high 25 points in a 78-64 victory over the Wizards. He also had career bests of eight rebounds and eight assists, helping the Bulls notch three wins in as many days.
Now, after one day of rest the Bulls will look for a rare win at the Garden, a place where Rose has averaged 28.6 points over his past five games, and scored 30 or more in each of the final two meetings last season with Chicago winning both.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
However, those two games came in Chicago after the Bulls had lost both visits to Boston, where the Celtics have won 10 of the past 12 meetings — including in the playoffs. So getting Rose back in time for this one seems crucial.
Meanwhile, Boston (4-5) has dropped consecutive games — both at home — since winning four in a row.
Rajon Rondo scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Celts lost to the defending champion Dallas Mavericks, 90-85 on Wednesday.
Rondo has only averaged 9.2 points in his last five matchups with the Bulls.
Free Pick: Boston
Although Boston is off to slow start, right now they are the healthier team. I expect them to rebound against Chicago and edge out the win at the Garden, a place where the Bulls have failed to sustain any ounce of success.
