NBA Odds: Chicago Bulls vs New Orleans Hornets Preview & Pick
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The New Orleans Hornets have been devastated by injuries. Getting out of their downward spiral is going to be a serious challenge on Saturday night, as they host the Chicago Bulls on NBA odds.
Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Hornets
Date: Saturday, February 12, 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
Broadcast: WGN, CST
Bulls vs. Hornets lines from Sportsbook.com
Bulls: -3
Hornets: +3
Total: 181
Check Out Our Indepth NBA ATS Betting Stats For This Game —>
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*Stats do not include New Orleans’ Friday night game with Orlando
Chicago (35-16, 30-20-1 ATS) ended a two-game losing streak with Wednesday’s 91-86 win over Utah. Despite the back-to-back losses, Chicago is 12-4 in its last 16 games. The Bulls have been quite impressive against the spread, too, going 5-2 ATS in their last seven outings.
After a mini-lapse, Chicago has got its “D” back under control. The Bulls have allowed 100 points or more just twice in its last 16 games—the most recent two losses in Golden State and Portland. In fact, in Chicago’s past eight victories, it has allowed its opponent to top 90 points just one time.
If Chicago is going to put together another winning streak, it could use a bit more offense from Carolos Boozer. Boozer has scored 16 or less points in five of his last seven games—not what you’d expect from a big-money free agent. He at least contributes in other ways, though, and had grabbed double-digit rebounds in five straight games before the win over Utah.
Of course, with Derrick Rose playing so well, the team probably doesn’t need Boozer to score quite as much as normal. Rose has dropped 29-plus points in three of his last four games. He’s taking a ton of shots, though, Rose launched 53 field goal attempts in his last two starts.
New Orleans (32-22, 26-26-2 ATS) was playing horrific going into Friday’s battle in Orlando. The Hornets have won just once in their past seven outings and are suffering through a four-game losing streak. They failed to cover in Wednesday’s 103-101 overtime loss to the Nets, dropping them to 0-7 ATS over their last seven games.
The biggest reason for the slump? Injuries, as starters Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza have been pushed to the sidelines. Okafor has missed five straight games with a strained oblique. He leads New Orleans in rebounding. Ariza, meanwhile, has missed three straight games with an ankle sprain. Ariza and Okafor are tied for third on the team with 11.1 points per game.
David West has done an outstanding job upping his game in their absence. The power forward is averaging 7.6 rebounds per game this season but, over his last four outings, he’s 12.0 boards per game. Unfortunately, he can’t be on the floor everywhere at once, and the injured players are especially missed for their “D.”
New Orleans owns one of the NBA’s top four defenses at just over 92 points allowed per game, but they’ve crumbled without those two key pieces. The Hornets have allowed at least 100 points in each of its last seven losses.
It’s not a matter of New Orleans playing bad and waiting for the club to snap out of its funk; the team is simply hamstrung because of a rash of injuries. Until those guys come back—Okafor is likely out till after the All-Star break, while Ariza is out till next week—there’s no reason to believe New Orleans will suddenly turn things around. The Bulls should take advantage and come away with a win and cover.
Trends:
CHI are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 Sat. games.
Under is 12-5 in CHI last 17 Sat. games.
NO are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Sat. games.
Under is 20-7 in NO last 27 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 29-14 in NO last 43 overall.
Chicago at New Orleans pick: Bulls
Ian Van Den Hurk has covered amateur and pro sports for years, including a successful run handicapping anything from football to mixed martial arts.
