The Chicago Bulls look to extend their division lead when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies in an early game. Check inside to see what the
sportsbook odds makers are offering us, and our favorite
NBA pick for the game.
Sportsbooks released their NBA odds with the Chicago Bulls are favored by -3.5 points with the
total at 178.5. While totals of 177.5 and a spread of 4 can be found at a few sports betting shops, it looks like these numbers will hold firm and give us a great opportunity to add a play on the total to our NBA picks.
Chicago
(12-2 SU, 9-5 ATS) has won 11 of last 12 games, including a 104-64 wipeout of
Memphis on New Year’s Day. In that game, Ronnie Brewer and Carlos Boozer each
scored 17 points while Derrick Rose added 16. The big story though was the Bulls
defense which limited the Grizzlies to 31 percent shooting (26 of 84) and 11
percent from beyond the arc (1 of 9). Memphis also lost leading scorer and
rebounder Zach Randolph in the game. After playing just 11 minutes he suffered
a torn MCL that will keep him out until at least mid-March.
In
their last outing on Saturday, the Bulls downed the Raptors 77-64 limiting
Toronto to 34.9 percent shooting (30 of 86). Derrick Rose had 18 points and 11
assists as Chicago improved its home record to 5-0.
No matador defense
The
Bulls are No. 1 in the NBA in fewest points allowed per game (83.8) and fourth
in field goal shooting (41.3 percent per game). Chicago’s been downright stingy at times this season holding
Toronto, Washington and Memphis to 64 points apiece and limiting Detroit to 68
markers less than a week ago. Not surprisingly the Bulls are 9-5 to the ‘under’
including a perfect 5-0 at home.
Rebounding
has been one of the keys to success for the Bulls, who lead leading the league
with 46.2 boards per game. They have outrebounded 12 of 14 opponents and 11
straight. Luol Deng leads with 8.1 per game. Three others — Joakim Noah, Carlos
Boozer and Omer Asik are at 5.8 and above
Slow start
Since
losing Randolph, points have been hard to come by for the Grizzlies (5-6 SU,
4-7 ATS) who are averaging just 92.8 ppg. So far Memphis has found it tough to
replace Z-Bo’s scoring and rebounding (20.1 points and 12.2 rebounds for last season).
Rudy
Gay has stepped up in the Grizzlies last two games, both of them victories. Gay
scored a season-high 26 points and the Grizzlies beat New York 94-83 on
Thursday. Two nights later he came back with 23 points in a 108-99 victory over
New Orleans. Gay is still trying to find his way back after missing the closing
months of last season and the Grizzlies' playoff run because of a shoulder
injury.
Grizzlies
center Marc Gasol has done his best to step up his game in Randolph’s absence.
Gasol is averaging a double-double with 13.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game
while Mike Conley, who missed the first game against Chicago, is netting 11.1
points per game and leads the team in assists (6.7 apg).
Key betting trends
The
Grizzlies are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 series meetings in Memphis and are 12-4
in their last 16 games against the NBA Central.
Harvey’s
Take: The Grizzlies would love nothing
more than to exact some payback for the 40-point loss but it’s not going to
happen today. That will have to wait until Randolph gets healthy. The strongest
play is on the ‘under’. With the way the Bulls are playing defense, Memphis
will be lucky to get 75 points today. I’ll be shocked if the teams combine for
more than 165 points.
Good luck!