Detroit At Chicago
When: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 31, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, WGN (Chicago)
PREDICTION: Bulls 95, Pistons 88

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 9-point favorites versus the Pistons, while the game’s total is sitting at 187.

Detroit coach Lawrence Frank called his team’s performance Friday against Toronto “embarrassing,” pointing particularly to a third quarter in which the Pistons were outscored 36-15. It wasn’t all bad for Detroit, though, as rookie Andre Drummond returned after missing 22 games because of a stress fracture in his lower back and scored 17 points in 19 minutes. The Pistons could be without another one of their solid young players, though, with guard Brandon Knight listed as doubtful after injuring his ankle against the Raptors.

Detroit lost its last outing, a 99-82 result against the Raptors on March 29. The Pistons failed to cover in that game as a 1.5-point favorite, while the 181 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 24-49 SU, 32-41 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games
is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games
is 4-17-1 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Chicago

When playing on Sunday are 2-8
Before playing Toronto are 2-8
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 1-9

The Bulls have held their own with some of their top players sidelined – Marco Belinelli (strained abdominal muscle), Richard Hamilton (back spasms) and Joakim Noah (foot) all sat out Saturday – but they missed having their stars down the stretch against Dallas, as the Mavericks overcame a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes. “This was a tough loss,” guard Kirk Hinrich told reporters. “We just didn’t finish it out.” Noah and Belinelli could return against the Pistons.

Chicago lost its last outing, a 100-98 result against the Mavericks on March 30. The Bulls covered in that game as a 5.5-point underdog, while the 198 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 39-32 SU, 33-38 ATS

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
is 17-4-1 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Detroit

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

The post Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Chicago At Washington
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 26, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Washington), NBATV
Prediction: Bulls 98, Wizards 86.

Chicago lost All-Star forward Luol Deng to a hamstring injury last week but has seen no drop-off with Butler stepping into his spot. Butler, a second-year swingman from Marquette, has played at least 43 minutes in each of the last four games and has put up 15.5 points and 9.3 rebounds while playing strong defense. He went for 16 points and 12 rebounds on Friday to post his first career double-double. “I love his toughness,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of Butler. “ He competes on every play. He’s not afraid.” Making it easier for Butler is the overall strength of Chicago’s frontcourt, which built up a 56-37 rebounding advantage in the win over Golden State.

Chicago won its last outing, a 103-87 result against the Warriors on January 25. The Bulls covered in that game as a 2.5-point favorite, while the 190 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 26-16 SU, 17-25 ATS
Current streak: won 3 straight games.
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 9-1
After playing Golden State are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

Washington has looked like a different team since Wall’s return. The talented point guard sat out the first 33 games with a knee injury but has put up 14 points and 6.9 assists in his eight games back. The coaching staff has been monitoring his minutes and he needed only 21 to build up 14 points and five assists in Friday’s 114-101 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wizards have won four straight home games, dating back to a 101-99 triumph over NBA-best Oklahoma City on Jan. 7. Washington shot 36.5 percent without Wall around in an 87-77 loss at Chicago on Dec. 29. Beal led with 14 points.

The Wizards were a 114-101 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Timberwolves. They covered the 6.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (215) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 10-31 SU, 26-14-1 ATS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games at home
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing Sacramento are 3-7
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 3-7

The post Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.