NBA Basketball
2012-04-10 - New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Tuesday 10 April 2012 - Tip Off 9:30pm ET
2:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Chicago Bulls (43-14) are just a couple of games ahead of the Miami Heat with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the NBA, but they will have been sickened by the manner in which they were beaten at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. The New York Knicks (29-27) moved 1.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the Play Off positions with that win.
However, there could be a look ahead scenario for the Knicks here as they are travelling to Milwaukee tomorrow night to face the Bucks in what looks like a far more important game for New York.
This is a second of a home and home set between the teams and it was a really surprising game on Sunday that the Bulls blew. The Knicks had started off strongly and were up by 21 at one stage, but the Bulls were then leading by 10 with under 4 minutes to play.
However, the Bulls could not complete the win as they missed FOUR free throws in the final 30 seconds of the game that would have secured the win and the game was extended into Overtime thanks to Carmelo Anthony who also scored the winning basket in OT.
New York continue to play tough defense under Mike Woodson, improving to 11-3 under their interim coach, and they are allowing just 88.6 points per game in those games. Chicago have averaged just 90 points per game in their last 4 games, but will have gained some confidence with the way they fought back against the Knicks and will look for the revenge win in this one and stay clear of Miami ahead of their meeting on Thursday.
Head to Head
Chicago lead the season series between these teams 2-1, although it is New York that are 2-1 against the spread in those games.
In fact, the Knicks have improved to 5-1 against the spread in the last 6 games in the series.
The Knicks have covered the number in their last 2 trips to Chicago.
Chicago are 13-14-1 against the spread at home this season, New York are 11-16 on the road.
Chicago are 28-23-1 against the spread as the favourite, New York are 13-12 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
Chicago are 35-14-2 against the spread in their last 51 games following a straight up loss.
However, they are 0-4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games as the home favourite of between 5 and 10.5 points.
New York are 11-3 against the spread in their last 14 games against teams from the Eastern Conference.
Prediction
I am going to back the Chicago Bulls to cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, New York may be looking to conserve some energy for the big game against the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night on the road. That game is much more important to them in terms of the Play Offs.
Second, there are a couple of trends that really favour the Bulls in this spot as they are 7-4 against the spread when revenging a loss, and 8-3 against the spread when they were upset as the favourite.
Third, I think the Bulls will be fully focused on this game after a horrendous start and poor ending cost them the W in the game on Sunday. They seemed to make the adjustments offensively in the second quarter and will feel confident they can win this game with some room to spare.
The Pick :
Chicago Bulls 101-91 New York Knicks
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Chicago Bulls - 7 Points @ 1.95
