Celtics at Bulls 2012 NBA Picks: It will be a game time decision to determine if Derek Rose is able to play Thursday night when the Bulls host the Boston Celtics at 9 p.m. ET at United Center in Chicago. Rose’s return will be welcomed, especially since the Bulls have lost two straight without him and three of their last five games. With 42 wins the Bulls own the best record in the Eastern Conference and for that matter the entire NBA, but need to find their groove to hold off Miami currently two games back in the conference standings at 39-14.
Odds makers at online sports book TopBet.com list the Bulls as 7 1/2-chalk favorites against the Celtics with a combined score total of 176 1/2 (over/under). Celtics backers wagering for a SU win are getting +290 NBA Odds on the off shore money line while the price of a SU money line wager on Chicago is -350.
Rose practiced for the first time Wednesday and was taking contact but wasn’t ready to declare himself ready to go against the Celtics. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Rose has been increasing his activity each day and said whether he’d go Thursday would depend on how he felt this morning.
Chicago has dropped two straight, losing at Oklahoma city 98-72 on Sunday then returned to United Center on Monday and lost to the Rockets 99-93. The consecutive defeats ended their 86-game regular-season run without back-to-back losses.
Rose has missed the last two games against the Celtics (30-23), which the teams split, after playing in Chicago’s 88-79 win in January. All three games have been defensive battles, with Boston averaging 84.7 points and the Bulls 89.3.
NBA Predictions: I look for the Bulls to get past the Celtics in this one to avoid losing three straight, even if Rose isn’t in the lineup. My NBA Odds Pick – Bulls win SU (ML -350). There is good news for NBA bettors. – RENO’S PICKS ARE FREE. Check daily for Reno Gold’s opinion on all the top NBA games each day for free. We also encourage you to sign up to get Free NBA Picks now!
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