The San Antonio Spurs are in a mad rush to finish atop the Western Conference, but it will be a challenge with the Golden State Warriors playing so well. San Antonio can’t afford to lose any toss-up games, and this could be one on the road against the Chicago Bulls.
San Antonio has more overall talent but the Bulls get this game at home, and as they showed earlier this season when knocking off the Cavs, have the ability to give elite teams trouble when they are playing well.
WIth losses so rare for the Spurs and Warriors, this is a pivotal road matchup for San Antonio.
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Odds Analysis
The Spurs are 17-4 straight up but have been favored so often that they are only 9-11-1 against the spread on the season. San Antonio has been much better against the spread on the road this year with a 7-4-1 record. San Antonio is 8-11-1 as the favorite.
The Bulls are 11-9 straight up and 12-8 against the spread on the season. Chicago has covered in six of nine attempts as the underdog this season, which is something it figures to be with the Spurs such a dominant group.
Player to Watch
Rajon Rondo - The Bulls’ point guard was suspended a game recently for conduct detrimental to the team and Chicago lost a squeaker to the Trail Blazers, 112-110, when he was out. It’s hard not to think about Rondo possibly changing that outcome, and he will certainly look to atone for his transgression against the Spurs.
Rondo is averaging 8.2 points, 7.2 assists and 6.7 rebounds on the season and is one of the better distributors in the NBA. The Bulls have a pair of elite scoring options in Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade, and Rondo usually does a nice job setting them up.
The Spurs play fantastic defense, so Rondo is needed to find the open man and navigate traffic in any fast-break opportunity. Rondo has a history of issues with his teams but seemed contrite after the incident and will aim to come back with a vengeance in this game.
Injury Report
Spurs point guard Tony Parker suffered a knee injury recently which may sideline him for a significant period, according to coach Gregg Popovich. Parker isn’t the star he once was as he gets up in age, but is still a key cog in the lineup.
Parker is averaging 9.7 points and 4.3 assists this year and his absence will make it tougher on the Spurs. Patty Mills figures to get the lion’s share of the playing time when Parker is on the shelf, and he will likely draw the assignment of defending Rondo.
The lack of depth at the position could become a problem, so keep an eye on Mills and how opposing offenses will look to attack him.
Free NBA ATS Pick
The Bulls are glad to welcome back Rondo and will face a Spurs team expected to be without Parker, so that’s a big plus. However, they still must deal with stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard leading the way for San Antonio.
While the Spurs have won a lot of close games this season, they have still proven themselves as one of top teams in the NBA. San Antonio will get a tough test in this one.
Butler has ascended to an elite player while Wade is showing his career is not quite ready to be put out to pasture. Chicago should keep this one close throughout but expect San Antonio to make the big plays down the stretch to pull out the key road win.
NBA Odds: Spurs 97, Bulls 95
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