Last Updated on April 16, 2011 2:30 pm by drew
Pacers vs. Bulls Series Odds
(TheSpread) – The 2011 NBA Playoffs officially get underway with the Chicago Bulls playing host to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Chicago is the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 62-20 record while Indiana comes in as the No. 8 seed, with a 37-45 record.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com the Bulls are the clear favorite to win the series with odds of -3500 and the Pacers have odds of +1900
Chicago won the Central Division by 25 games over the Pacers, who finished a distant second. Chicago was 36-5 at home and 26-15 on the road. Only Miami had a better road record in the East. The Bulls were also 39-13 against conference opponents and they have won 9 straight entering the playoffs.
Indiana was 24-17 at home this year and 13-28 on the road. The Pacers were 28-24 against Eastern Conference opponents and they lost their last two games entering the postseason.
These two teams faced off four times this season with Chicago winning three of the four contests. The Bulls had a +46 scoring edge in the series.
Trends show that the Pacers have failed to cover the spread in their last 4 games in Chicago while the Bulls have covered in just 1 of their last 6 home games.
In terms of injuries, Indiana forward Danny Granger comes into the series with an ankle injury while Chicago center Joakim Noah and guard Ronnie Brewer each have minor injuries. All are expected to play in the series opener.
Odds to win 2011 NBA Playoffs First Round Series – Pacers vs. Bulls
Indiana Pacers +1900
Chicago Bulls -3500
Pacers vs. Bulls Series Schedule
Game 1 – Sat April 16, Indiana at Chicago, 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN3D
Game 2 – Mon April 18, Indiana at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 – Thu April 21, Chicago at Indiana, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 4 – Sat April 23, Chicago at Indiana, 2:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 26, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 28, Chicago at Indiana, TBD, TBD
Game 7 * Sat April 30, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TNT
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