NBA DISS: BULLS (32-23) VS. THUNDER (40-15)

by LUCAS COMBS

When: Sunday, February 24th, 2013 at 630PM PT
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Line: -8.5 Thunder
Total: 196

Line Movement

Last Meeting: November 8th – The Thunder defeated the Bulls in Chicago, 97-91.

The Match-Up

The Chicago Bulls travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder Sunday evening. Both teams got much needed victories Friday after stretches of poor play. The Bulls routed the Charlotte Bobcats, 105-75, after losing 3 of 4 and the Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 127-111 after losing 3 straight. Chicago moved the ball astoundingly well in the victory over the Bobcats, amassing 37 assists on 42 made baskets. The Thunder received 35 points and 9 dimes from Russel Westbrook in the victory over Minnesota.

Betting Information

Despite not having a stellar record overall against the spread, the Chicago Bulls have been a good road team to bet on, going 17-9 ATS in road games (24-30 ATS overall). The Oklahoma City Thunder are 32-21 ATS overall (19-9 ATS at home).

Chicago is just 6-14 ATS versus non-conference opponents and 1-4 ATS versus Northwest Division opponents.

Concerning the total, Chicago has a tendency to play in lower scoring games than anticipated (32-23 Under), but on the road, the Bulls are 15-12 Over in road games. Oklahoma City tends to play in higher scoring games than anticipated and are 29-24 Over overall (17-10 Over at home).

The Thunder are 7-2 Over in their last 9 contests.

Brotherly Diss

Derrick Rose’s brother isn’t happy about Chicago not making any moves before the trade deadline. Reggie Rose told ESPN Chicago that he doesn’t think the Bulls’ organization has done enough to ensure Chicago will be a contender.

“What have you pieced together? Have you made any moves? Have you made any trades to get better? You know all roads to the championship lead through Miami,” he told ESPN Chicago. “What pieces have you put together for the physical playoffs? Joakim Noah is a great player. Luol Deng is a great player. But you need more than that. You have to put together pieces to your main piece. The players can only do so much. It’s up to the organization to make them better.”

So, let’s get this straight. The Chicago Bulls, who are 9 games above .500 and fifth in the Eastern Conference without their best player haven’t done enough to become a contender? Right. Does Mr. Derrick Rose’s brother realize what Chicago has accomplished without his brother?

Perhaps, we should wait until his brother returns from injury to pass judgement. Who knows, the Bulls might just be that much better.

Injury Report

Source: USA TODAY