Chicago vs Oklahoma City NBA Picks
The Chicago Bulls were once considered a legitimate title contender, but the recent season-ending injury to Derrick Rose has all but eliminated them from contention at this point in the 2013-14 season. [ad-4468020]
Chicago (9-15) @ Oklahoma City (20-4)
Thursday, Dec. 19 8:00 PM ET @ Chesapeake Energy Arena
Spread: OKC -13
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The Oklahoma City Thunder, on the other hand, are among the top three teams in the Western Conference, and their duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are as good as it comes.
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These two teams face off Thursday night in front of a nationally televised audience.
Chicago
Despite the absence of former MVP Derrick Rose, the Bulls are still one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. They’re giving up 92.4 points per game, which is good enough for third in the NBA in that particular category. Offense, however, is a completely different story.
The Bulls are putting up just 91.2 points per contest. That number is only good enough for 28th in the Association, and it’s fitting considering Luol Deng is the only active player averaging anything close to 20 points per game.
Against the Thunder, the Bulls will give up points to Kevin Durant. The superstar will do what he does, and he’ll score plenty of points along the way.
The problem for the Bulls will be containing Russell Westbrook, and more specifically, everybody behind the first two options. Westbrook has a chance to be an X-Factor night in and night out, and if he can perform in triple-digit fashion Thursday night like he has in the past, he’ll put serious pressure on a defense that is used to dominating a game from start to finish.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder are a classic example of an offense-defense team this season.
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They’re a top-three team on offense, as they’re averaging 105.6 points per contest, and they’re a top-10 defensive team, as they’re allowing just 98.5 points per game.
When it comes to defending the point guard position, OKC just might have it easy against Chicago. Not only is Derrick Rose out for the remainder of the season, but Kirk Hinrich is questionable after missing Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets. Whoever is playing point guard will struggle defending Westbrook, and the point guard for OKC will look to attack the middle; but his mid-range game will have to be spot on.
The Bulls are a fantastic defensive team, mostly because of their ability to dominate the middle. Durant and crew will certainly score from the outside, but attacking Joakim Noah and crew could be troublesome.
The Thunder are without any major injuries and have home-court advantage. The question isn’t necessarily whether or not they come away with the win, but whether or not they can meet the massive spread they’ve been given entering the contest.
OKC is winning its games by a margin of 7.1 points per game. Chicago, on the other hand, is giving up 1.2 points per outing. OKC should come away with the win, but don’t be shocked if the Bulls’ defense keeps them close until the very end.
Prediction: Chicago +13
