Just one game on the NBA Schedule tonight and we will see the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game has a start time of 8:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on TNT. Current Vegas betting odds have Cleveland listed as 1 point favorites, while the total is set at 201.  

Analysis: The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on fire of late as they have won 13 of their last 14 games, including their last 9 at home, with 8 of the 9 wins being by DD. The Cavs are now 32-21 on the year and have closed the gap in the Central Division to just a half a game behind Chicago.  The Cavs have gone 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games overall, but just 4-12 ATS in their last 16 vs. the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers have been a solid offensive squad this year, ranking 9th in scoring (102.0 ppg), 13th in shooting, 13th in 3 point shooting and 16th in FT shooting. The defense for this team been decent, ranking 12th in points allowed (99.2 ppg), 22nd in defensive FG% and 11th in 3 point defense. 

The Chicago Bulls come in playing good ball as they have won their last 3 games. The Bulls currently hold a 1 game lead over Cleveland and a 3.5 game lead over the surprising Milwaukee Bucks in the Central Division with a 33-20 record, but they have been a mediocre 14-11 at home. The Bulls have gone 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record and 10-4 the last 14 in the series, but just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games. The Bulls have been a good offensive squad this year, ranking 10th in scoring (102 ppg), 20th in shooting, 10th in 3 point shooting and 3rd in FT shooting. The defense for this team been average, ranking 12th in points allowed (99.1 ppg), 9th in defensive FG% and 7th in 3 point defense. 

Pick: I will go with the Under in this game. The Cavs have been on a tear of late and it has been mostly due to their outstanding defense that has allowed just 92.6 ppg in their last 12 games. For the Bulls they have also been plying better of late and it starts with their defense that has allowed just 91 ppg in their last 5 games. Both teams are facing a long break and with this game being a huge one for both teams i expect it to be more a deliberately slow pace  that should keen the game low scoring. Big game tend to be lower scoring and I expect this one to be just that. I can see this one in the lower 190s.  

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Handicapping Tips: NBA Betting
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