Boston Celtics (50-30 SU 32-46-2 ATS) vs. Chicago Bulls (39-41 SU 40-38-2 ATS) United Center, Chicago, IL 8 PM EST Tuesday April 13, 2010 on TNT
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
Point Spread: Celtics +4.5/Bulls -4.5
Over/Under: 197.5
Tonight in an Eastern Conference match up that is very important for the home team the Chicago Bulls host the Boston Celtics. This game really does not mean much to the Celtics, as they will have the #4 seed in the East and host either the Miami Heat or Milwaukee Bucks in the 1st round of the playoffs.
This game is not vital, but important for the Bulls since they currently hold the 8th spot in the East with a slim game lead over the Toronto Raptors. Toronto is not in action tonight and if the Bulls lose they will be tied with the Raptors with only 1 game left. They have to finish ahead of Toronto, as the Raptors hold the tiebreaker over Chicago.
Boston is coming off a win and is 5-5 in their last 10 games and Chicago is also coming off a win and is 6-4 in their last 10 games.
This season Chicago is 23-17 at home and Boston is 26-14 on the road.
Kevin Garnett (8-0) rested in the Celtics last game and missed the last game between these 2 teams, but he has yet to lose to Chicago while with the Celtics (8-0).
KG and Kendrick Perkins may be the difference for the Celtics, as the Bulls weakness is their inside game. This duo has to keep Joakim Noah (10.6 ppg 10.9 rpg), who had 18 points and 19 rebounds in Chicago’s last game, off the boards.
The Bulls will not light up the scoreboard on offense since they are not a high scoring team so they will need Derrick Rose (20.4 ppg) and Luol Deng (17.8 ppg) to carry the offensive load.
In their last game the Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors 104-88 on Sunday night. The high scorer in the game for Chicago was Derrick Rose going for 26 points on 12/23 shooting. For the game the Bulls shot well going 42/85 from the floor for a FG% of 49.4%. On defense the Bulls played solid holding the Raptors to 37/90 shooting for a FG% of 41.1%.
The Celtics also won their last game beating the Milwaukee Bucks 105-90 on Saturday. The high scorer for Boston in the game was Paul Pierce going for 24 points on 10/17 shooting. For the game the Celtics shot 35/75 for a FG% of 46.7%. On D the Celtics clamped down holding the Bucks to 31/78 shooting for a FG% of only 39.7%.
This season the Celtics rank 19th in the league in scoring (99.4 ppg) and the Bulls only rank 24th (97.4 ppg). On D both teams are legit, as they Celtics ranks 5th in opponents’ points allowed (95.4 ppg) and the Bulls rank 14th (99.3 ppg). The Bulls have been a better team this season on the boards with a rebounding differential of +1.6 rpg while the Celtics are at -1.4 rpg.
According to the Sagarin NBA ratings the Celtics rank 9th (93.43) and the Bulls rank 18th (88.84).
Boston is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games against teams with a winning home record and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a win.
Boston has an Over record of 6-1 in their last 7 games and an Under record of 10-3 in their last 13 games following a win.
Chicago is 4 ATS in their last 5 home games against teams with a winning road record, 22-9 ATS in their last 31 games following a ATS win, and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against teams with a winning percentage above 60%.
Chicago has an Under record of 6-2 in their last 8 home games and an Under record of 9-3 in their last 13 games.
On the injury front C Jerome James is Out for Chicago while the Celtics are not reporting any significant injuries.
Jason’s Pick: Even though this game means nothing to the Celtics I don’t think they will rest their starters or lay down. However, the Bulls are on the verge of being in desperation mode and will come out and play well at home giving themselves the win and cover.