Bulls vs. Celtics Line January 13, 2012
Carrie Stroup here. The Bulls vs. Celtics line was coming in at -2.5 Friday evening after opening at -2 in favor of Chicago. You can bet this game at Sportsbook.com here. Receive up to $250 in FREE CASH (restrictions do apply).
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Chicago -2.5 & 177
Opening Line & Total: Bulls -2 & 177
The Bulls visit a Celtics team in need of a season-changing win after coming out of the gate slowly with a 4-5 start this season.
The key to this game might come before tip-off, with Derrick Rose (20.7 PPG) questionable to play with a sprained toe. He sat out the Bulls’ most recent game, a win over the Wizards in their third contest in three days, but says he’ll suit up for Friday’s game. Rose brings the necessary star-power to combat a talented Celtics squad. In the past two seasons, the Chicago is 5-3 ATS against Boston as Rose has scored 23.6 PPG (51% FG), 4.5 RPG and 5.4 APG. The Bulls are 8-4 ATS this season, winning three consecutive and five of their last six against the lines, while the Celtics have hit a rough patch, going 1-3 ATS, including two straight defeats. Boston’s offensive slump (79.5 PPG in past two games) will not be easy to bust out of, going up against a Chicago team holding four of its past eight opponents to under 75 points.
Although the injury focus is on Rose, also pay attention to Joakim Noah who injured his thumb last game, but should be able to go Friday night. However, SG Richard Hamilton (groin) will likely be in street clothes when this game tips off.
Rose is the heart and soul of the Bulls, but the team has defined itself this year with consistent play on the boards and on defense. Allowing just 85.8 PPG, Chicago ranks second in the NBA in defense. They also rank second in the NBA in rebounds (46.3 RPG). Two Duke products give the Bulls size with SF Luol Deng (14.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG) and Carlos Boozer (13.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG) contributing both offense and significant rebounding. Their most tenacious interior defender, however, is backup forward Taj Gibson who is leading the team with 1.4 BPG. Against a Celtics team that likes to work its way into the paint, and Noah not being 100 percent, Gibson’s physical defense should become a major factor.
Although the Celtics do not have a high-octane offense, they shoot the ball efficiently with a 46.9 FG%, fourth best in the NBA. But they average a pedestrian 91.9 PPG, which is better than only seven other teams in the league. Rajon Rondo is the team’s floor general, averaging a double-double (15.8 PPG, 10.1 APG), but Boston’s triumvirate of aging stars surround him to add scoring. Ray Allen (19.0 PPG, 63% 3-pt FG) leads the team, while Pierce (13.8 PPG) and Garnett (13.2 PPG) are still finding their rhythm. Pierce especially, who began the season injured, needs to find his stroke and start contributing more than his 38.6% FG to give the Celtics a shot to become great again.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
