Bulls (+7) vs. Jazz (-7)
(O/U) 197½
November 26, 10:30 PM ET
The Chicago Bulls (6-7 SU, 4-9 ATS, 4-9 O/U) looked to be one of the best up and coming teams in the league following their thrilling seven-game postseason appearance in the first round of last season’s playoffs.
However, the team has clearly taken a step backwards this season following the loss of gifted scorer Ben Gordon, who bolted in free agency for the big bucks the Detroit Pistons were offering.
Chicago has lost three consecutive games coming into tonight’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Utah Jazz (7-7 SU, 6-8 ATS, 9-5 O/U).
Speaking of the Jazz, they haven’t exactly been setting the league on fire this season.
Jerry Sloan’s ballclub alternated wins and losses in six consecutive games before winning three straight, only to follow that up with a home loss in their last game.
Now, both teams will be looking to get back in the win column when they battle at EnergySolutions Arena tonight at 10:30 PM ET.
Chicago
Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Bulls are 0-8-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a S.U. loss.
Bulls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a road underdog.
The Bulls got spanked by the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, losing 122-98 and not coming close to covering the NBA point spread as 8-point road underdogs.
Luol Deng scored a team-high 25 points for Chicago but the Bulls allowed the Trail Blazers to shoot an outrageous 57.5 percent in the loss.
The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in three consecutive games and five of six overall.
Utah
Jazz are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a S.U. loss.
Jazz are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
Jazz are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.
The Jazz had their three-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday, losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-94, failing to cover the NBA moneyline as 8-point home favorites in the process.
Carlos Boozer scored 26 points and grabbed seven boards for Utah, but the Jazz allowed the Thunder to shoot almost 50 percent (8-for-18) from three-point distance in the loss.
Utah has failed to cover the NBA point spread in two consecutive games, following a four-game ATS winning streak.
Analysis: The Bulls have gone an impressive 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings against the Jazz and 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Utah, but I don’t think they’re going to improve on those stellar statistics in this contest.
Chicago has gotten blown out in three consecutive games by an average of 19.3 points per contest while not reaching the 100-point plateau in any of the losses and nine of its last 10 games overall.
The Jazz may be very inconsistent this season, but they can score the ball and will likely do so tonight against the reeling Bulls as they cover the NBA point spread going away.
NBA Free Picks: Utah Jazz -8 Points