Mavericks vs. Bulls Pick
Will the Dallas Mavericks or Chicago Bulls manage a third straight win when the two meet up tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Bulls are favored at home today, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Mavericks. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 197 points. Dallas has won and covered the spread in three straight in this series, including a 107-82 win at home on Dec. 3.
Dallas has picked up two straight wins coming into this game to get to 13-27 on the season. They also covered the spread in both games and are now 19-21 against the spread. For the season, Dallas is averaging just 95.7 points per game on the season and only 94.4 points per game on the road. Defensively, they are giving up 100.5 points per game overall and 102.6 points per game on the road. Harrison Barnes is leading the team with 20.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while Wesley Matthews is adding 15.2 points per contest. Andrew Bogut continues to be out with a hamstring injury.
Chicago has won two straight as well coming into tonight. The Bulls are now 21-21 overall and 21-21 against the spread. The Bulls are averaging 101.5 points per game on offense and also allowing 101.5 points per game on defense this season. At home, the offense bumps up to 102.8 points per game while the defense is allowing 100.8. Jimmy Butler is averaging 24.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game to lead the Bulls while Dwyane Wade is adding 18.9 points per contest. Nikola Mirotic, who is adding 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, but he is out with an illness.
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Both teams come in with some momentum, but the Bulls have had some better wins, especially beating Memphis on the road. The Mavericks simply beat two other struggling teams. I think Dallas should be competitive, but I look for Butler and Wade to take over late in the game and do enough to allow the Bulls to cover.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO BULLS -5.5