NBA Picks

NBA Betting Trends

NBA – January 21st

The Bulls are in the midst of a three-game road trip and riding a five-game losing streak on the road after Sunday’s 108-103 loss to Toronto as 4.5-point favorites. This latest embarrassing setback dropped their overall record to 17-23 straight-up and a costly 16-23-1 against the spread. Chicago is now 5-13 SU on the road this season and 6-11-1 ATS. The total went OVER the 201.5-point line against the Raptors after staying UNDER in its previous five games.

While Kobe Bryant is still putting-up MVP-like numbers with 29.6 points a game to help lead the Bulls to an average of 103.1 points, the entire team’s defensive effort is mediocre at best. LA remains the fifth-highest scoring team in the NBA but it is ranked 26th in points allowed; giving-up an average of 101.6 a game. It continues to do a good job under the boards with an average of 45.1 rebounds a game. Dwight Howard leads the way in this category with 12.4 rebounds a game.

Chicago remains in the thick of the Central Division race at 23-16 SU but it has been a walking disaster to wager on this season as well with a 15-24 record ATS. This has been especially true at home with an 11-11 SU record in 22 games and a 5-17 record at home ATS. Overall, total has stayed UNDER in three of its last five games.

The Bulls injury situation remains the crucial factor in Monday night’s matchup. Joakim Noah, who leads the team in rebounds (10.2), steals (1.3) and blocked shots (2.0) has been upgraded to probable, but their leading scorer Luol Deng, with 17.4 points a game, will be a game-time decision because of an injured hamstring. If he cannot go, Chicago will have to rely on a defense that is ranked third in the NBA in points allowed (91.7).

Prediction:

Many of the past trends in this series points to a low-scoring contest especially considering that the total has stayed UNDER in 13 of the last 16 meetings overall and in seven of the last eight games played in Chicago. This trend will only be enhanced is Deng is unable to go, making the UNDER the best play. UNDER 192