NBA Handicapping Predictions – Nuggets vs Bulls
The Bulls will be without Derrick Rose for the 7th straight game, but even without the reigning MVP in the lineup Chicago has won 4 straight.
Venue/ Stadium: United Center, Chicago, IL
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Monday, March 26, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Bulls -8
Over/Under: 199
Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Preview
The Nuggets are tied with the Rockets and Jazz for the 7th spot in the Western Conference, but they have yet to win on their current road trip losing 2 in a row and they are only 4-6 in their last 10 games.
In their last games the Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors 102-101 and the Nuggets lost badly to the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-100.
This season the Nuggets are 25-24 ATS with an O/U record of 26-23 and the Bulls are 30-20 ATS with an O/U record of 26-23-1.
The Nuggets are a .500 team on the road this season (11-11), but they have lost 4 of their last 5 games against the Bulls in Chicago.
Denver’s offense has to step up in this game, but that will not be easy facing a Bulls’ team that has the 2nd ranked defense. The Nuggets’ have the worst road defense in the league and in their last 4 road games are giving up an average of 116.3 ppg.
The Nuggets have 7 players averaging in double figures led by Danilo Gallinari (15.2 ppg) and Ty Lawson (15.1 ppg). However, Gallinari is out until mid April with a thumb injury. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
JaVale McGee (11.9 ppg 8.8 rpg) has played well since coming over to Denver in a trade with the Wizards and he will be counted on to clog the paint and play good D against the solid Chicago frontcourt duo of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah.
Luol Deng, Boozer, and Rose’s backup C.J. Watson have played well with Rose out of the lineup and Watson scored 33 points in the last game in Denver with Rose out.
In some betting trends for this non-conference match up the Nuggets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 games.
The Bulls are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game, and they have an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Jason’s Pick: The Nuggets are really struggling and I think the Bulls will play much better D than they did in their last game against Toronto. Take Chicago to win this game and cover the spread.
Score: 100-88
