[Arty]

Chicago at Milwaukee (3-7-12)

Matchups – These two teams are two of the better offensive teams in the East. Brandon Jennings has been carrying the Bucks scoring over 31 points per game during March and also dishing out 7 assists. Rose cannot guard Jennings one on one, so you’ll see some double teams with Brewer which will lead to many open shots since Jennings is not afraid to pass the ball. Another offensive matchup I like is Drew Gooden, who has the potential to destroy Boozer inside. While the Bucks have some decent matchups, the Bulls do as well. Jennings is not known for his stifling defense, and Rose should get some easy shots going to the hole. Boozer will get some open jumpers against Gooden and Udrih. He had 20 points in their last matchups shooting 75%. Noah has been allowed to get open looks from mid-range over these last few games. Defenses are allowing him to grab the ball at about 17 feet and he’s been looking lost. Noah however has come out and said that he’s frustrated by teams’ lack of respect for his mid-range game, and will be looking to put those shots in. I see Luol Deng shutting out whoever he guards however, but should get some decent looking numbers on the offensive end. Delfino and Dunleavy don’t score particularly well, but they also don’t take many shots and let their teammates do the scoring.

Stephen Jackson – Stephen Jackson again won’t be playing vs the Bulls. While some might say, this hurts the Bucks on the offensive end, this is not true. Jackson has been a premier scorer in the league. With the Bucks however, he’s struggled hard. He’s shooting 36 percent on the year, 24 percent in the last 5 games. Jackson has lost a step and Scott Skiles is extremely frustrated with him. Jackson being out opens up Mike Dunleavy to get much more minutes. Dunleavy doesn’t take many shots, but shoots at a high percentage and is a decent passer along with Delfino for their position.

X-Factor – Both teams are coming off huge wins. The Bulls had a convincing win against their rival Pacers while the Bucks edged out the Sixers by 4. I think this result in both teams coming out sluggish on the defensive end. The Bulls especially could be looking past this team and looking forward to playing the Magic the next day. The Bulls had a convincing win against the Hawks on Feb. 20^th and came out giving up 53 points to the Bucks in the 1^st half. The bulls beat the Celtics on Feb. 16^th and lost to the Nets allowing them to almost score 100 a few days later. I see both teams coming out struggling defensively and this game being played at a faster pace.

Pick – Chicago at Milwaukee OVER 195. Both teams should score in the 100s in what should be a fast paced high scoring game. WIN!

[Arty]

I've decided to do this type of analysis for whatever Bulls line I see value on. I've been watching/analyzing the Bulls for a good five years, so I want to share whatever info/picks I think will help you guys.

My previous thread http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/nba-basket...-analysis.html

[Arty]

Both Hamilton and Watson are out for this game. This was expected however and Bulls are more than fine with Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas in there.

[rjp322]

I still like Chicago to cover the 7.5. Last time in Milwaukee it was like a home game since there were so many bulls fans there. I remember a blowout

[Arty]

So true lol. The Bradley Center draws in like 50% Bulls fans. The spread imo is very tight, so I'm staying away from it. I can definitely see a close game, with the Bulls winning by 3-4.

[botev1921]

I am taking Bulls by 7-9 points since that is their average winning margin and as strange as it may sound the Bucks have not lost a game by that margin at home this year.

[Arty]

Both teams score 100+, and the over hits easily! I was worried a little when Jennings was struggling shooting early, but the forwards for the Bucks step it up.

Congrats if anyone had the over as well.

[Arty]

Orlando at Chicago (3-8-12)

I don't really have time for a writeup today since I'm really busy at work.

But I really love the Magic at +7. I see this game being extremely close, especially with the Bulls playing the end of a 4 out of 5 game stretch, and the Magic coming off of an awful loss to Charlotte.

Pick - Magic +7 WIN!
YTD Record - (2-0)

[Arty]

This bet is looking really strong so far! Orlando came out with some serious firepower and Howard is dominating on both offense and defense.

[chantrain]

Chicago at Milwaukee (3-7-12)

Matchups – These two teams are two of the better offensive teams in the East. Brandon Jennings has been carrying the Bucks scoring over 31 points per game during March and also dishing out 7 assists. Rose cannot guard Jennings one on one

Omg, this part is hilarious. Derrick Rose pwns Brandon Jennings every which way every time he sees him.

[Arty]

Not true. Rose definitely gets his offensively but Jennings also puts up great numbers against Rose. Yes he did however struggle shooting yesterday.

[Arty]

Also, Magic cover easily! It got scary for a second when the Bulls took a 1 point lead in the 4th, but the Magic pulled away in the end!

Cheers to anyone that had the Magic +7

My YTD Record now improves to 3-0

[Arty]

Utah at Chicago (3-10-12)

Matchups – Al Jefferson poses a huge problem for the Bulls. He went for 60 points in the teams' last two matchups, and with Boozer and Noah struggling with their front court defense in the last few games, I see Jefferson getting a big number tonight. Rose averages 25 points plus against the Jazz in the United Center and poses a huge matchup problem for Devin Harris. Harris, if he gets little help, will get torched by Rose driving to the rim and you will see Derrick at the line many times. Gordon Heyward is another matchup problem for the Bulls as Ronnie Brewer will have a tough time guarding his size. Heyward is an excellent shooter, but can also get to the rim at an extremely quick pace. I also see Paul Milsap having a big game tonight. Bulls have been giving up big numbers inside with Ilyasolva and Howard getting 30 points each the last two games. I see both teams struggling on defense tonight, and the game being played in the 100s.

Luol Deng – Deng has an injured left wrist and will likely not play tonight’s game. The Bulls can still beat the Jazz without him, but this hurts their defense quite a bit. Deng is one of the best defenders at his position in the league. You will see much more minutes from Kyle Korver tonight. This is both good and bad. Korver has an extremely hard time on defense, but it is an excellent jump shooter. He missed many wide open shots against Orlando on Thursday, so I see those shots going in against the Jazz. I look for Korver to have a great night offensively in repleacment for Deng.

Pick: Utah at Chicago OVER 192.5. I see this game ending with both teams finishing in the 100s. Rose, Boozer, Milsap, and Jefferson will have big games. I still see the Bulls winning but the game should be close. WIN!
YTD Record: (3-0)

[Arty]

Great games from Millsap and especially Korver. The over hits with no sweat.

My record improves to 4-0.

Cheers to anyone who had the over.

[Arty]

New York at Chicago (3-12-12)

Matchups - This game posts some interesting matchups. The Bulls are going to struggle hard guarding Amare, Melo, and Chandler. Amare and Melo are struggling themselves on this losing streak the Knicks are on, but I see them breaking out here. Luol Deng is missing another game which is huge in this matchup in particular. Taj Gibson is definitely gonna get more time, as Melo 1 on 1 against Korver will torch him. Amare against Chicago had his best game of the season the last time these two teams played. I see him getting 20+ easily. Noah was out with the stomach flu so I see him being a little sluggish in tonight's game, which will bode well for Chandler getting plenty of easy buckets. Rose in my opinion, will be the X-factor. He needs to have a really great game for the Bulls to cover. Rose however, with Deng, Rip, and Watson out has been asked to do too much and has been struggling recently, especially with shooting percentage. Rose will get his, but I see the Knicks doubling him often and forcing Brewer and Korver to make key shots.

Jeremy Lin - As you guys have been aware, Linsanity is slowly dying out, and some in New York are calling for Baron Davis to get the start. What's been kind of lost however in this losing streak, is that Lin is actually improving. Besides the game in Philly last night, Lin has been keeping his turnovers down greatly and averaging 8+ assists a game. This is important in this matchup. For the Knicks to keep it close, they don't need Lin to have a high scoring game. They need him to methodically dish to Amare and Melo as these two will find themselves open more often than not. I see Lin keeping his turnovers down and getting double digit assits, leading to a NY cover.

Pick - New York +8.5.
YTD Record: 4-0 WIN!

[Arty]

Adding another play to my Card. I really believe Amare Stoudemire will dominate tonight. Amare shows up big in primetime games like these. He's been struggling lately, but with the pressure to perform, the bright lights, and the fact that Boozer has absolutely no chance to contain him, I see Amare easily getting 20+ points. Gibson, who Amare will see a lot of as well, also struggles with Stoudemire's size and with Melo on the floor, Amare will see 1 on 1 matchups all night. I'll be adding a point prop as well to my card for tonight.

Pick - Amare Stoudemire OVER 27 Points + Rebounds LOSS!
YTD Record: 4-0

[Arty]

Knicks lose by 5 and cover the 8.5! Cheers to anyone who had the Knicks plus the points!

Tough break on the Amare 27 point + reb prop. Amare gets his 20 points but struggles on the boards only grabbing 3 rebounds.

My record goes to 5-1

[Arty]

Miami at Chicago (3-14-11)

No time for a writeup sadly, since I work all day Wednesdays. This is definitely my strongest play of the season though. Bulls have been bitten by the injury bug hard. Watson is out. Rip is still out. Deng will probably play but is hampered. Rose could very well be out, but all signs point that he will be playing. I see the Heat winning by 5-8 points tonight with big games from Lebron and Bosh.

Pick: Heat ML +129
YTD Record: 5-1

[Arty]

Rose has been confirmed out. The spread also has changed hard going from Bulls -2.5 to Bulls +2.5. I'm pretty lucky I got the ML where its at lol.