Thursday NBA Opening Odds
(The Spread) – Three of the NBA’s best Eastern Conference teams are all in action Thursday night for the nationally televised TNT doubleheader.
Despite there being only two games on the NBA schedule, it certainly does mean it is a night without intrigue. First off, the Chicago Bulls (38-17) play host at the United Center to the Miami Heat (42-15). Oddsmakers and online sports book Sportsbook.com, Miami is a 2-point favorite and the over-under is 192.5. According to the latest trends, Miami is 28-27 against the spread this season while Chicago is 32-21 ATS.
The Heat returned from the All-Star break in impressive fashion Tuesday as they thrashed the Sacramento Kings at home by a final of 117-97. Chicago did not have as much luck Wednesday as it was perhaps looking ahead to the showdown with Miami a little too soon, falling 118-113 at Toronto.
One of the best home teams in the NBA this season, Chicago is 25-4 on its own floor. The Heat are 21-10 on the road.
Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who Miami’s Juwan Howard said Wednesday was his choice as the NBA MVP up to this point, is averaging 25 points per game along with 8.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds. LeBron James, an MVP candidate in his own right, has averages of 26.2 points per game as well as 7.2 assists and 6.5 rebounds during his first year with the Heat.
The second half of the TNT doubleheader pairs the Boston Celtics (41-14) and the new-look Denver Nuggets (33-25), who will host the game at 10:30 PM EST. Denver will be playing their second game since the blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks involving Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.
Boston is a 3.5-point favorite in the contest. Denver is 23-7 at home during the 2010-11 season and Boston is 16-9 in road games.
NBA Opening Odds & Over/Under Totals
501 Miami Heat -2 (192.5)
502 Chicago Bulls +2
503 Boston Celtics -3.5 (203.5)
504 Denver Nuggets +3.5
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