NBA Basketball
2013-03-15 - Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Friday 15 March 2013 - Tip Off 10:30pm
2:30am (British Time)
Preview
Both of these teams are likely to be playing in the Play Offs, although the Golden State Warriors (37-29) are slightly more in the desperate position to keep winning. The Warriors are 3.5 games clear of the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference, but the teams below them are still winning plenty of games and Golden State need to keep winning, especially at home.
In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls (35-29) are certainly going to make it in to the Play Offs, but their seeding is very much up for grabs. Chicago are currently 2.5 games behind the Brooklyn Nets for a top four seed, but on the other hand they are only 3.5 games ahead of the Number 8 seed Milwaukee Bucks.
It has been a tough stretch for Chicago who have lost 5 in a row on the road including an embarrassing blow out loss in Sacramento in their last game. This is the longest losing run on the road that the Bulls have suffered in three seasons and there is still no positive news as to when Derrick Rose will take to the court again.
Chicago have been struggling from the field during their most recent 5 games, while they have averaged just 81.4 points per game during their 5 game road skid. Missing the likes of Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich and Richard Hamilton has not helped the offense and there is bound to be some excitement that the team returns home and has a few days rest after this game.
And it doesn't get easier for Chicago as they take on the Golden State Warriors who have won 10 of their last 13 home games and are definitely a much tougher team to take on in front of their own fans. The Warriors have won back to back games here comfortably and have a couple of road games after this one which should focus them to win this one.
Head to Head
Golden State were beaten in the Windy City earlier this season, but they have dominated the Chicago Bulls at home.
The Warriors are 11-2 in their last 13 home games against Chicago and have won 3 in a row by an average of 12 points per game.
Prediction
The Golden State Warriors have the capabilities of putting up a lot of points and I think that is going to prove to be too much for the Chicago Bulls to keep up with in this one.
There is a chance the Bulls overlook this game and concentrate on getting back home to see a change of their current fortunes. With Golden State dominating their home games against Chicago, it is hard to see past a Warriors win in this one.
The Pick :
Golden State Warriors 96-89 Chicago Bulls
