Andre Gomes
Bulls/Pistons OVER 184
The Public perception for this game will put them certainly pounding the Over, however they are right on this one and so, I expect the line to go up. Therefore I want to take the opening line in here and I advice you to bet on it as soon as possible.
In this contest, we have a line of 184 total points and if we take in account what both offenses are doing the whole season, I tend to agree that this is the right number. However in my opinion both teams are improving on the offensive end and we can expect this to be reflected on the court today.
We all know that the Bulls offense has been terrible this season, as they are scoring only 91.5 points per game – good for the second worst mark in the league and shooting just 43.1 % from the field – 4th worst NBA mark. However with the return of Tyrus Thomas, the Bulls are playing better and they have especially changed their style. With Thomas on court, the Bulls are now quicker and more explosive in their offensive transitions. Note that against the Hornets and the Pacers, the Bulls shot 46.2% and 52.8% from the field – numbers above their season average, but they have also scored 54 points in the paint against the Hornets, when their season average is 38.1 and scored 26 fast break points in both contests, while also they connecting 6-10 behind the arc against the Pacers, when they are just averaging 31.3% from behind the arc. It might look strange, but their 104 points scored on their last game was a season high for them and so, this is a clear prove that the Bulls offense are gradually being more effective.
Meanwhile, the Pistons are still adjusting to the return of some key players. I confess that I had a lean on them in their last game against the Knicks, but I couldn’t pull the trigger because I predicted that Prince, Rip or Gordon would be rusty. That happened mainly with Hamilton, as he shot 5-21 from the field, however note that the Pistons have scored 19 fast break points in a clear attempt to push up the pace. Today’s game will be the third game for them after the return of their key players and in my opinion, there are good reasons to believe that they will perform better offensively today.
These two teams have already faced each other this season, with the Bulls winning at home by 92-85, however in that game Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Charlie Villanueva, Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich did not play that game and it wasn’t surprising that the game turned out to be a low scoring game. I don’t expect the same to happen today and that’s why I’m taking the Over in here.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 501/502 Over 184
