NBA Basketball Betting Previews for Thursday Night
BOSTON CELTICS (19-16) at CHICAGO BULLS (21-12)
The Bulls will be going for their sixth straight victory when they host the Celtics on Thursday.
The Celtics were a three-point home favorite against the Pistons on Wednesday night, but the team played lousy defense down the stretch and ended up losing 99-94. Detroit outscored Boston 33-19 in the fourth quarter and the Celtics will now need to turn around and find a way to get up for this big road game in Chicago.
The Bulls most recently defeated the Bucks 117-106 as 8.5-point favorites at home. It was their fifth straight victory and fifth in the past six games as well. Chicago has also been excellent ATS, covering in four of its past five.
These teams have met just once this season and the Celtics won that game 105-100 as 3.5-point home favorites on Dec. 9. The Bulls are still 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS versus the Celtics over the past three seasons. That includes a 3-1 SU record at home against Boston, but the teams have split wins ATS in those contests.
There are some interesting trends that are worth noting in this one. Working in Boston’s favor is the fact that the Celtics are 3-0 ATS this season as a road underdog of 3.5 to six points. The Bulls, however, are 3-0 ATS in January this season and 6-3 ATS versus the Atlantic division on the year as well.
The Celtics play the game the right way, as evidenced by some of their impressive numbers as a team. Boston is averaging 102.7 PPG (8th in NBA) and allowing just 99.0 PPG (8th in NBA). The team is also averaging 44.6 RPG (t-8th in NBA) and 23.8 APG (5th in NBA). They move the ball well as a unit and everybody does their part in crashing the glass.
The guy who really makes this team go is PG Isaiah Thomas (20.9 PPG, 6.9 APG, 1.3 SPG). Thomas is averaging 22.0 PPG and 7.2 APG over the past five contests and he should be able to have some success against Chicago on Thursday. He had 20 points, five boards and five assists the last time he faced the Bulls and another performance like that would have his team in good shape for this one.
SF Jae Crowder (13.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG) will be the x-factor for Boston, though. Crowder has been on fire offensively recently, averaging 18.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 2.2 SPG over the past five contests. It would help if he can continue to score at a good clip, but it is his defense that will be needed on Thursday. Jimmy Butler has been scorching hot for Chicago and Crowder will likely spend a lot of time guarding him in this game. If he can find a way to slow him down then the Celtics have a shot of winning this one on the road.
The Bulls are on fire recently and the team is really thriving offensively under Fred Hoiberg. The season got off to a rocky start, but Chicago is now averaging 102.2 PPG (9th in NBA) thanks to 22.6 APG (9th in NBA). The Bulls are also the league’s best rebounding team at 48.8 RPG (1st in NBA).
SG Jimmy Butler (22.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 SPG) is the team’s motor and he has truly emerged as one of the best players in basketball this season. Over the past two games, Butler is averaging 37.0 PPG, 7.5 APG and 1.0 SPG. He is 26-for-44 from the field and 4-for-8 from three in those games. He has also made a living at the line and is 18-for-19 from the charity stripe over the past two. If Butler is going to continue to play this well then it will be very tough for the Celtics to win this one in Chicago.
PG Derrick Rose (14.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.3 RPG) returned from a three-game absence for the Bulls against Milwaukee and he looked very good in that one. Rose had 16 points and six assists and looked very explosive going to the rim. He’ll need to play well in his matchup with Isaiah Thomas.
C Pau Gasol (16.7 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 BPG) could be in for a big night against the Celtics too. While he has not been quite as hot as Butler, Gasol is averaging 22.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 5.5 APG and 3.5 BPG over the past two contests. He was on fire against the Bucks last game, going 10-for-14 from the field and 2-for-2 from the outside in a 26-point performance. Chicago will be looking to get him going early in this game.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (8-28) at SACRAMENTO KINGS (14-21)
The Lakers and Kings will be looking to get back into the win column when the teams meet in Sacramento on Thursday.
The Lakers were on a three-game winning streak heading into their home meeting with the Warriors on Tuesday. All of the momentum in the world wasn’t going to help Los Angeles in that one, though. Golden State won the game 109-88 as a 13.5-point road favorite and now the Lakers will be looking to get back on track with a victory against the Kings.
Sacramento is coming off of a 117-116 loss against the Mavericks in double overtime on Tuesday, but the team had won two straight before that. The Kings will be confident heading into this game, as they defeated the Lakers 132-114 in Sacramento when the teams met on Oct. 30. The Kings are 4-1 SU against the Lakers at home over the past three seasons, but Los Angeles has covered in three of those games.
One thing favoring the Lakers coming into this game is the fact that they are 5-1 ATS after a game with 15 or less assists this season. The Kings, however, are 11-5 ATS after one or more consecutive Overs on the season.
Both PG D’Angelo Russell (Illness) and SG Kobe Bryant (Shoulder) are probable for the Lakers on Thursday and PG Rajon Rondo (Back), SG Ben McLemore (Back) and SF Omri Casspi (Back) are questionable for the Kings.
The Lakers have improved their play recently and SG Lou Williams (14.0 PPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG) has been a big reason for that. Over the past five games, Williams is averaging 18.8 PPG and he will be counted on to continue scoring for this team. He may have to take a bit of a backseat with SG Kobe Bryant (17.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.0 SPG) in the lineup, but he should also see some better looks playing off of him.
For Bryant, the key to this game will be to not get over aggressive. He has missed the last three games and he must allow some of his teammates to shine, as they did a good job of playing without him in the past week.
One guy that should continue to have a big role for the Lakers is PF Larry Nance Jr. (5.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG). Over the past five games, Nance Jr. is averaging 10.0 PPG and 9.6 RPG. He is doing everything he can to make life on his teammates easier and he can even hit some mid-range shots when he’s open. He’ll need to provide a spark against the Kings on Thursday.
The Kings are under .500 this season, but they are just 1.5 games out of eighth place in the Western Conference and have plenty of time to get themselves going. C DeMarcus Cousins (25.1 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG) is doing everything in his power to win games for his team. Over the past three games, Cousins is averaging a monstrous 33.3 PPG and 15.0 RPG. He had 21 points and 11 rebounds the last time the Kings faced the Lakers and should be in for a better game on Thursday.
SF Rudy Gay (17.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.2 SPG) should also be able to find success in this one on Thursday. Gay is coming off of a 31-point performance against the Mavericks and had 19 points on 66.7% shooting from the field the last time he faced the Lakers. Los Angeles is likely going to have Kobe Bryant guard Gay for a majority of his time on the floor, so Gay should be able to blow by him because of his advantage athletically.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
