Bulls Going For Six Wins In Seven Games Against Celtics

Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls
NBA Betting Preview
Date: 12/18/2012 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Chicago -2, O/U 183
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Television: Local Networks

Boston Celtics: The Celtics (12-11 straight-up, 8-13-2 against the spread) lost and failed to cover the first two games of this three-game road trip, 101-89 at Houston on Friday and 103-88 at San Antonio on Saturday. The team is now 1-6 SU and 1-5-1 ATS in its seven road games since Nov. 15. Coach Doc Rivers has moved Jason Terry to the bench the last two games, and while he improves the second unit’s production, it hurts the starters. Boston really misses guard Avery Bradley, who has been out all season with shoulder injuries. He is still listed as out indefinitely on the NBA injury report. The Celtics won 101-95 in Chicago on Nov. 12 as 2 ½-point ‘dogs after going 0-5 SU and 0-4-1 ATS in their previous five trips to the United Center.

Chicago Bulls: The Bulls (13-10 SU, 8-15 ATS) could be fatigued after losing 80-71 to a tough Memphis team on Monday night. They’re 3-2 SU and ATS in back-to-back situations this season. Coach Tom Thibodeau has seen his guys improve their play of late at 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS in the last seven. Marco Belinelli has started the last eight games at shooting guard for the injured Richard Hamilton and really come on the last seven, averaging 18 points per game. Point guard Kirk Hinrich had missed the last two contests but returned against Memphia and scored just four points with five assists in 31 minutes before fouling out. That puts Nate Robinson back in his valuable reserve role. The Bulls rank just 27th in the league offensively (92.5 ppg) but second in defense (90.4 ppg). The "under" is 11-2 in their home games this year (7-0 in the last seven), and they’re just 2-11 ATS (7-6 SU) in front of the home fans.

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