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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Preview & Free Pick

NBA Handicapping Predictions – 76ers vs Bulls

The Chicago Bulls were the top seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs, but they are just one loss away from going home in the first round.

NBA Basketball Matchup: #8 Philadelphia 76ers (3-1) vs. #1 Chicago Bulls (1-3)
Date/Time: May 8, 9:30 PM EST on NBA TV
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Bulls -5
Over/Under: 171.5

Matchup | Preview

The Philadelphia 76ers were given very little chance before the series started, but the Bulls injury issues have fallen right into their hands. First Derrick Rose tore his ACL at the end of Game One, and now Joakim Noah is out with a severely sprained ankle. Can the Bulls pull it together and keep the series alive with a win at home?

Philadelphia definitely hasn’t had to face the Bulls at full strength, but you still have to give the 76ers credit for stepping up in crunch time. The 76ers have come from way behind in the fourth quarter twice this series. Jrue Holiday is averaging almost 20 points per game for the Sixers in this series. He has hit multiple clutch shots when the team has needed them most. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Evan Turner is starting to realize his potential for the 76ers, and he has been instrumental in getting the team this 3-1 lead as well. Spencer Hawes has shown a great shooting touch from the outside, and the Bulls big men are struggling to stop him. Doug Collins’ team has played great defense all series, and that is truly the strength of this team.

The Bulls comfortably won Game One, but when Derrick Rose went down with a torn ACL late in the game you had the feeling the rest of the series would be very different. The Bulls have lost three straight since then. Joakim Noah has been one of the team’s best players in this series, but he’ll miss this game with a sprained ankle. It will be up to guys like Carlos Boozer, Richard Hamilton, and Luol Deng to pick up the slack tonight.

C.J. Watson has struggled mightily while trying to fill in for Rose at point guard. Deng is not being aggressive enough on the offensive end. The Bulls must dominate the boards with their strong interior presence if they hope to win this game.

I expect a very close game to the end in this one. The total has been posted so low that I believe the value lies with the over.

Prediction: Chicago 89 Philadelphia 86

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By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.