NBA Basketball
2012-03-12 - New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Monday 12 March 2012 - Tip Off 8pm ET
Midnight (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Chicago Bulls (34-9) look to maintain their push for the Number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference as they face the slumping New York Knicks (18-23) who have had a tough March already and could slip out of the Play Off picture if they don't get their acts together sooner rather than later.
However, this could be a tough spot for Chicago as they are dealing with a number of injuries which could leave them short-handed for a second game in succession. The likes of Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Richard Hamilton all missed the game against Utah on Saturday, although Noah is expected back for this game tonight.
CJ Watson is also likely to be ruled out tonight as the Bulls could be forgiven for saving some of their doubts for the big game with Miami on Wednesday night.
Derrick Rose has been very good against the Knicks, averaging 27 points per game over the last 7 contests against them, and he will look to take advantage of Jeremy Lin who can struggle with his ball control.
Lin sparked a 7 game winning run for the New York Knicks when he first entered the team as the starter, but the team have fallen off the pace and have taken some heavy emotional losses over the last week, including a defeat at Philadelphia and Boston.
There seems to be something wrong with the teams chemistry and Mike D'Antoni went so far as to bench Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire for the entire fourth quarter yesterday, while they have not been defending well enough. The return of Tyson Chandler to the starting rotation will at least help on that front, but the Knicks need to find an identity fast.
Head to Head
Chicago have won the last 2 games in the series against the New York Knicks, both of those coming at Madison Square Garden including a 3 point win earlier this season.
The Knicks will at least point to the fact that they won the last meeting in Chicago, and that they are 2-2 against the spread on the road against the Bulls.
New York are 3-1 against the spread in the last 4 games in the series.
Chicago are 9-9-1 against the spread at home this season, New York are 7-13 on the road.
Chicago are 23-17-1 against the spread as the favourite, New York are 7-10 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
Chicago are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games as the home favourite of between 5 and 10.5 points.
New York have lost their last 6 games against the spread following a double-digit loss at home.
The Knicks are 2-2 against the spread as the road underdog given between 6.5 and 9 points.
Prediction
I am going for a surprise here and backing the New York Knicks to at least keep this game close for the following reasons:
First, Chicago could potentially face a backdoor cover if they begin to rest starters down the stretch with the big game against Miami in mind.
Second, the Bulls are short-handed and the Knicks are definitely a better team than they have been showing.
Third, the Knicks have played better against the better teams in the NBA, going 8-9 against the spread when playing a team with a winning record.
The Pick :
Chicago Bulls 104-97 New York Knicks
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll take the New York Knicks + 8.5 Points @ 2.00
