The San Antonio Spurs have only lost five times this season, but one of them came at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. They will aim to pull even in the season series when the Spurs host Chicago on Christmas Day.
Despite the previous result, San Antonio is the clearly superior team. The home court advantage is another key piece as the Spurs will certainly be the favorite in this one. The Bulls feel like they match up well and would love to be competitive in this matchup,
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Odds Analysis
The Spurs are 23-5 straight up and 15-12-1 against the spread. San Antonio has played 12 home games but has actually only covered in five of them. The Spurs have been favored in all but two of their game and have gone 13-12-1 when giving points.
Chicago is 14-14 straight up this season and also 14-14 against the spread, so there has been a whole lot of mediocrity associated with the team in 2016. The Bulls are 7-7 against the spread away from home and have done a nice job as the underdog, covering in seven of 11 attempts.
Revenge Angle
In the first meeting between these two teams back on December 8th, the Chicago Bulls defeated the San Antonio Spurs 95-90 in Chicago. The loss was the Spurs’ fifth of the season and it has since reeled off five consecutive victories.
The Bulls’ defense held up in that one, and the offense was led by Dwyane Wade, who had 20 points and added five rebounds and five assists. Chicago pulled ahead nicely at halftime and then held off a late San Antonio rally.
The Bulls would be well-served to follow that script if they have any designs of pulling the upset. Kawhi Leonard had a nice game in the first matchup with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists but didn’t get enough help.
San Antonio leads this series 51-33 all-time, but Chicago has won two of the last three meetings between these two teams. On paper, the Spurs are the superior team, however, and will have some added incentive in this matchup after the earlier loss.
Key Stat
94.8. That’s how many points San Antonio’s opponents are averaging this season against the Spurs tough defense. The team ranks No. 4 in the country for points allowed.
The Spurs have held four of their eight opponents to 96 points or less in December and haven’t allowed more than 101 points by any opponent this month. San Antonio faces a Bulls offense that is averaging 101.6 points a game, but it could be hard-pressed to hit that total if the Spurs are playing their usual tough defense.
Free NBA ATS Pick
Chicago knows the formula to beat San Antonio. It played great defense and got balanced scoring from its starters in the first matchup.
However, the Spurs are one of the best teams in the NBA and get this rematch at home. They haven’t been lights-out there but no team is going to turn down that home court advantage.
LaMarcus Aldridge will look to have a big game to complement Leonard in this one. The Bulls are good enough to remain competitive but the Spurs should even the series at 1 with the win. Expect another low-scoring affair as each team knows how to bear down defensively.
The Bulls would could really use this win as they fight for a playoff berth in the East but it will be the Spurs who emerge victorious to keep pace with the Golden State Warriors for the top seed in the Western Conference.
NBA Odds: Spurs 103, Bulls 94
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