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Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies Gambling & NBA Handicapping Prediction

Chicago vs Memphis NBA Picks

It looks like the Bulls are still trying to figure out how they are going to win (or if) without Derrick Rose. They are still an elite defensive team but they are really struggling offensively and have lost 7 of their last 10. [ad-4468020]

Chicago Bulls (11-17) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (13-16)
Monday December 30
Fedex Pyramid – Memphis, TN
8:00PM
Moneyline: No moneyline currently listed
Spread: Memphis -4.5
O/U: 180

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Chicago

You might not have noticed but they are the worst scoring team in the league and their defense is the only thing keeping them from being a total embarrassment.

They are almost unbackable to me.

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The tough thing about the way the Bulls have been constructed is that there is no player waiting in the wings capable of dramatically increasing his production to compensate for the loss of Rose.

Making matters even worse is that the Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler are questionable for this one, further limiting their ability to put the ball in the basket.

D.J. Augustin certainly is not the answer but he is being given a chance.

Chicago has only won 4 road games this season and are not much better against the number at 5-10 ATS away from the United Center.

Memphis plays tough defense so the Bulls will get a taste of their own medicine and I don’t think they will like it. You almost have to fade these guys indefinitely except against the weakest of teams.
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Memphis

While the Bulls may or may not be the most disappointing team in the East I think there is less doubt about Memphis being that in the West.

The Grizzlies have won three of their last four but they have still sunk to last place in the Southwest Division, behind even New Orleans.

They too are battling some injuries as center Marc Gasol has been out for 16 games already and is not expected to see the court again until sometime in the New Year.

The Grizzlies also struggle to score which is why the loss of Gasol was such a huge one. In his absence they are getting more production from PG Mike Conley but that is because he is taking a higher volume of shots as opposed to improvement. He is a nice player but not a very efficient scorer.

PF Zach Randolph can be deadly at times but his production is down. It is a nice tactical battle that will be between him and Carlos Boozer, a couple of aging dinosaurs trying to out guile each other.

Memphis is a terrible 5-12 ATS at home this season and this one is a tough one to call because the way these teams both play defense the first team to score 70 will probably win.

Against any other team I would probably say fade the Bulls but Memphis looks like the smart play to me in this one.

Spread Pick: N/A
O/U Pick: N/A
Score Prediction: Memphis 87 – Chicago 77

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.