NBA Handicapping Predictions – Bulls vs Spurs
The Spurs (24-10) are a NBA best 13-1 at home this season and even though they have been dealing some injuries they simply keep winning.
Venue/ Stadium: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Time/Date: 9 PM EST Wednesday, February 29, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Spurs -2.5
Over/Under: 190.5
Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview
The Bulls (28-8) are 14-6 on the road and even though they won last night they did not look very convincing beating a weak New Orleans Hornets team. NBA lines have the Spurs as 2.5-point home favorites with a total of 190.5.
In their last games the Bulls beat the New Orleans Hornets 99-95 and the Spurs beat the Denver Nuggets 114-99.
This season the Bulls are 21-15 ATS with an O/U record of 18-17-1 ATS and the Spurs are 20-13-1 ATS with an O/U record of 18-16.
The key match up in this game may be at the PG position with reigning MVP Derrick Rose (22.2 ppg) facing Tony Parker (19.4 ppg). He has been a thorn in the side of the Bulls lately, as in his last 3 games facing them he is averaging 22.3 ppg on almost 60% shooting.
The Bulls have a great defense ranking 2nd in the league in opponents’ points allowed and 2nd in rebounding. Rebounding will be key tonight and this is especially the case since Tiago Splitter (5.2 rpg) and Kawhi Leonard (4.9 rpg) are both questionable for the Spurs with injuries. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Richard Hamilton finally suited up last night after missing a lot of time with a groin injury and the Bulls are 5-1 this season when he is the starter along with Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, and Carlos Boozer.
Tim Duncan has shown he still has some gas left in his tank and he will really be counted on to man the glass tonight if Splitter and Leonard cannot go. He and DeJuan Blair (9.7 ppg 5.6 rpg) will have to body up on Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah and not let them deep in the paint.
The Bulls were ice cold from beyond the arc last night hitting only 3/18 of their 3-point shots and if that happens again Rose and company will have to attack the basket and get buckets in the lane.
In some betting trends for this non-conference match up the Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog, and they have an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 road games.
The Spurs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games, 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall, and they have an Over record of 6-0 in their last 6 games.
Jason’s Pick: Yeah, the Bulls are legit and while the Spurs are banged up and nobody is really talking about them this season I think they are a legit title contender, especially if they can get healthy. Take the Spurs to win this game and cover the spread.
