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Expert NBA Basketball Picks – Rose, Bulls, Host Johnson, Hawks

Bookmark and Share by Eric Williams

The Chicago Bulls will be looking to take another step toward securing a berth in the postseason when they host the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center tonight at 8 PM ET.

Monday, March 1, 8:00 PM ET
: Bulls -2
(O/U) 195

Atlanta (37-21 SU, 34-24 ATS, 32-25-1 O/U)
Chicago (31-28 SU, 30-27-2 ATS, 25-33-1 O/U)

Before I break down tonight’s matchup, let’s take a look at tonight’s key head-to-head NBA gambling trends surrounding this contest.

  • Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
  • Hawks are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
  • Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
  • Favorite is 17-8 ATS in the last 25 meetings.
  • Hawks are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Chicago.

Atlanta 411

  • Hawks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
  • Hawks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
  • Hawks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.

The Hawks have won three of its last four games and beat the Milwaukee Bucks 106-102 in overtime on Sunday as Josh Smith put up a double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds and Joe Johnson scored a team-high 24 points.

Atlanta failed to cover the pro basketball betting line as an 8.5-point home favorite to fall to a bankroll-breaking 0-3 ATS over the last three games and just 1-5 ATS over the last six games overall. The Hawks are averaging 101.5 points er game this season while allowing 97.3 points per contest defensively.

Chicago 411

  • Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
  • Bulls are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
  • Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.

Chicago had its two-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped in its 100-90 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday despite getting a game-high 27 points from fleet-footed point guard derrick Rose.

The Bulls failed to cover the NBA betting line as a 3-point road underdog to fall to 2-2 ATS over the last four games and 6-2 ATS over the last eight games overall.

The Bulls are averaging 97.2 points per contest this season but allowing 98.2 points per game defensively.

The Scoop: The Atlanta Hawks are arguably the most athletic team in the league and have beaten the Chicago Bulls in six of the last seven meetings, including a 91-81 win on Feb. 2 as 8-point home favorites.

Hawks forward Josh Smith, arguably the most athletic player in the league besides LeBron James, torched Chicago with a triple-double the last time the teams met, putting up 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in his second career triple-double.

"Josh has probably been our MVP," coach Mike Woodson said at the time.

The Bulls did manage to beat Atlanta 101-98 in overtime at home on Dec. 19 as Bulls All-Star point guard Derrick Rose scored 16 of his then-career high 32 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.

"We had another thrilling game in Chicago where lost in overtime, so we know it's going to be a big challenge up there," Horford said.

Analysis: Chicago has played some pretty solid basketball recently despite their loss to Indiana the last time out, winning six of eight and seven of their last 10 games overall, while covering the NBA betting line in each victory.

Rose has averaged a stellar 24.6 points per contest during the span as the Bulls try to solidify their playoff position in the mostly mediocre Eastern Conference.

Chicago has looked like two different ballclubs depending on where they’ve played this season, as they’ve gone a fantastic 19-9 SU at home this season but just 12-19 away from the United Center.

I think tonight’s selection is a near-lock with the Bulls looking like a very strong play at home with nearly every key head-to-head and team trend for tonight’s matchup pointing toward a Bulls win and ATS cover.

Atlanta may have gone 5-1 ATS against the Bulls in the last six games, but the Hawks are also just 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Chicago while the favorite in this rivalry has gone a scorching 17-8 ATS in the last 25 meetings.

The Hawks have also struggled to cash in against good teams, going an unimpressive 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a winning SU record and 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.

The Bulls are the pick tonight pro basketball gamblers as they’ve gone a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four home games and an encouraging 7-2 ATS in their last nine games against a team with a winning SU record.

NBA sports betting aficionados that like to play the total should know the Over has gone a consistent 6-1 in the last seven meetings.