Bulls Likely To Be Without Kirk Hinrich Monday Against Celts

Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls
NBA Betting Preview
Date: 11/12/2012 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Chicago -3½, O/U 184
(click for latest NBA odds)
Television: Local Networks

Boston Celtics: The Celtics (3-3 straight-up, 1-5 against the spread) are coming off a huge win at Milwaukee on Saturday night, 96-92 as 1-point favorites. They outscored the Bucks 32-24 in the fourth quarter, and it was their first win against anyone other than woeful Washington. It was also their first cover of the season after starting 0-5 ATS. Coach Doc Rivers made a switch at starting shooting guard last game with Jason Terry (11.7 points per game) replacing the struggling Courtney Lee (5.0 ppg). That means there is little scoring off the bench with Jeff Green (7.8 ppg, 40.5 percent shooting) not earning his recent contract. Boston is still very reliant on ancient starters Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce (36 years old and 35, respectively). The duo came through last game against Milwaukee (43 combined points), but that can’t be counted on in consecutive games, especially at a tough venue like Chicago.

Chicago Bulls: The Bulls (4-2 SU, 1-5 ATS) played the fourth game of their five-game homestand on Saturday, an 87-80 home win against a pesky Minnesota squad. That was a failure to cover as 8-point favorites, and Chicago is now 0-5 ATS (3-2 SU) at home this season. Tom Thibodeau’s team really misses injured point guard Derrick Rose, as scoring has been a problem all season (94.5 ppg, tied for 19th). That’s helped the "under" go 4-1 in their home games. Starting point guard Kirk Hinrich hurt his hip last game and is listed as doubtful tonight (click to check updated NBA injury report). That would move Nate Robinson into the starting lineup and weaken the bench scoring-wise. Chicago is 4-0-1 ATS in the last five home games against Boston. The "under" is 5-1 in the last six meetings between the teams at the United Center as well.

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