Pacers vs. Bulls Line Comes in at Chicago -8.5
The Pacers vs. Bulls line had Chicago as a lofty 8.5 point favorite against a Pacers team that is playing some pretty good basketball right now. This game goes off January 25, 2012. For updated lines be sure to visit Sportsbook.com here and should you decide to open an online betting account, mention me, CARRIE STROUP, and receive up to $250 in FREE CASH (based on your initial deposit).
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Chicago -8.5 & 187.5
Opening Line & Total: Bulls -8 & 184.5
Two surging Central Division teams meet in Chicago Wednesday night when the Pacers (7-3 in past 10 games) take on a Bulls team riding a four-game win streak. Chicago also has a streak going against Indiana with nine straight home wins in the series.
This matchup pits two of the top-five scoring defenses in the NBA, so it figures to be low scoring, a big advantage for the heavy underdog. The Pacers have played a pretty easy schedule thus far, but they are still 11-5 SU overall (9-7 ATS) with road wins at L.A. Lakers, Boston and Golden State. And although they lost handily to Orlando on Tuesday night, they are a perfect 4-0 (SU and ATS) following an SU loss, and 5-1 (SU and ATS) following an ATS defeat this season. Chicago is playing great thanks mostly to SF Luol Deng (19.5 PPG during four-game win streak), but Deng will miss this game with a wrist injury. PF Taj Gibson (ankle) is also out for the Bulls, and both PG Derrick Rose (toe) and C Joakim Noah (ankle) are less than 100 percent.
Indiana also has a tremendous defense, allowing 41.3% shooting (2nd in NBA) and 90.5 PPG (5th in NBA). Before allowing 102 points to Orlando Tuesday night, its previous nine opponents had all failed to reach 100 points, and only one (Philadelphia) had shot better than 46% from the floor in this stretch. But the offense has struggled for most of the season. Indiana has just one 100-point game all season (Jan. 2 at New Jersey) and has the fifth-worst FG Pct. in the league (41.8% FG). But the Pacers do a great job on the glass (45.2 RPG, 2nd in NBA), and have the size down low with Roy Hibbert (14.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG) and David West (11.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG) to give Chicago fits. SF Danny Granger leads the team in scoring at 16.1 PPG, but he has struggled with his accuracy (35.7% FG). Granger has 19.0 PPG in his past five games, but is shooting just 41.8% FG during this scoring surge. Three other players average 10+ points per game, including PG Darren Collison (11.1 PPG, 5.2 APG), and the SG tandem of Paul George (10.8 PPG, 46% 3-pt FG) and George Hill (10.0 PPG, 43% 3-pt FG). Indiana needs to take better care of the basketball, with 19 turnovers and just eight assists in Tuesday’s loss to Orlando.
Chicago’s defense has been amazing at home this year (76.9 PPG on 39.4% FG), which is a big reason the team is unbeaten at United Center (8-0 SU, 5-3 ATS). The offense is also finding its rhythm with 110+ points in three of the past four games. In addition to Deng, SG Richard Hamilton (14.2 PPG) has been excellent in four games since returning from injury (16.5 PPG on 58% FG). Hamilton had 22 points and 10 assists in Monday’s win over New Jersey. PF Carlos Boozer (15.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG) has also stepped up during the four-game win streak, averaging 21.8 PPG (58% FG) and 9.5 RPG. In the past two regular seasons, Boozer has averaged 23.4 PPG and 11.6 RPG in five meetings with Indiana.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
