An Eastern Conference division duel on TNT kicks off the post All-Star schedule as the Bulls visit Cleveland to battle the East’s best team. The Cavaliers are 38-14 overall, 21-4 at home including 5-5 ATS when laying double-digits following Monday’s 120-100 blowout win over the Kings.
You can bet on NBA odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
WHEN THE CHICAGO BULLS HAVE THE BALL
Bulls guard Jimmy Butler averaged an Eastern Conference-best 26 points per game in January, but he’s out for at least another two weeks following a knee strain suffered February 5.
The Bulls scored just 91 and 90 points before the All-Star break without their leading scorer, and should struggle against the Cavs stronger defense.
Center Pau Gasol averages a double-double and will be counted on again after scoring 25 with 10 rebounds in the Bulls win over the Cavs back on January 23. Point guard Derek Rose has shown signs of soreness and wearing down and he’ll have a tough time staying with Kyrie Irving. Rose has struggled to score against the stronger defensive teams the past three weeks including Atlanta, Miami, Utah and this Cavaliers team. E’Twaun Moore has been unable to pick up the scoring slack in Butler’s absence, and forward Taj Gibson has been playing through a sore ankle with limited productivity.
The Bulls offense offers little support in this match-up and their defense has been deficient allowing 102 points in seven straight games while going 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six.
Live betting on less Bulls scoring and game scoring is the way to look.
WHEN THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS HAVE THE BALL
LeBron James is No. 4 in the league in player efficiency ratings. He’s scoring 25 points per game on 50 percent shooting and adds seven rebounds and six assists per game. His long range shooting has been a detriment at 28 percent beyond the arc, but 6-for-17 his last three games following an 0-for-18 shooting slump is promising.
Kyrie Irving should have the offense in high gear after scoring 35, 32 and 29 points his last three games before the break, and the Cavaliers have a strong interior presence that ranks No. 3 in rebounding rate with Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and LeBron James all strong inside.
LIVE BETTING SCENARIO
The Bulls are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 versus Eastern Conference opponents and 1-5 ATS in their last six road games. They closed out the pre All-Star break on a 0-4 ATS skid. The underdog is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings and the over is 12-3 in the Bulls last 15 road games and 6-0 in the Cavs last six games following a straight-up win.
But Chicago looks like they will struggle to score in this match-up, so look low when live betting on the adjusted prices.
Cleveland lost to Chicago 96-83 on this court as a 10.5-point favorite back on January 23 the day after firing their head coach. The Cavaliers will surely be focused and ready to deliver payback to their division rival.
New coach Tyronn Lue ordered the Cavs to push the pace and lock down on defense and that’s what they did when he took over and again versus the Kings with 94 shots while hitting 48 percent field goals.
They scored 120 on the Lakers two nights later and the Cavs are getting everyone involved as they get out and run more.
But Chicago doesn’t have their leading scorer or firepower to push the pace and run, so the live betting scenario to watch is the Cavs ability to shut down the Bulls flow on offense and Chicago’s ability to defend, which has been lacking in recent weeks.
Derek Rose is going to get frustrated and the Bulls have no inside help for Gasol, so Cleveland may hold nothing back in extending and delivering payback as they shut down Chicago.
Don’t be afraid to lay the price and adjusted prices in live betting on the Cavaliers throughout the game’s entirety.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform.
Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! Bet on the NBA today as the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers square off Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 8:00 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena. The game will be televised nationally on TNT.
