76ers vs. Bulls Pick
Are the Philadelphia 76ers and host Chicago Bulls going to keep the score under the projected total when they battle tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the 76ers are a 7-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 213 points. Philadelphia opened as a 6.5-point fave, while the total has come down from 214.
As of Thursday afternoon, 76 percent of the betting public has placed their wagers on the visiting Sixers. Online wager info also states that 59 percent of bets are coming in on the over.
Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg announced a couple moves heading into the post-All-Star break portion of the schedule. Defensive-minded small forward David Nwaba will be moving into the starting lineup, while cener Robin Lopez will be sitting out tonight’s game. Chicago is clearly full steam ahead with the youth movement and Nwaba is earning his minutes as a player who always goes full out when on the court.
The two meetings this season have been split, with the Bulls earning a 117-115 win on their home floor while the 76ers returned the favor with a 115-101 victory last month. Chicago is 7-3 ATS over the last 10 meetings, while the over has also gone 7-3.
Philadelphia won its last five games before the All-Star Break and covered the spread in four of them. Even so, the Sixers are just 5-5 ATS over the last 10 games while the under has gone 6-4. Chicago is 2-2 straight up over the last four games but only 1-9 ATS the spread in the last 10. The under has gone 7-3.
I have to say I like the under here. Lopez’ absence doesn’t mean much as Joel Embiid is going to get his regardless, but the addition of Nwaba to the starting lineup helps Chicago defensively. Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn are still learning how to operate together in the backcourt. PHiladelphia has not allowed any of its last seven opponents to exceed 102 points. The under is firmly in play here.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: 76ERS/BULLS UNDER 213