NBA - Chicago Bulls v Oklahoma

4 January 2010

Preview By Tipster Jumbo (New Zealand)

I’ll be back this week for the BCS and NFL Playoffs , so we may as well get some practice in now….

The Bulls are finally out of their slumber and have won their last 4 matches, tonight they welcome the Thunder fresh from a OT loss to the Bucks….I like the total in this match up.

The Bulls have reeled off four straight wins, including Saturday 101-93 victory over the Orlando.Magic, Rose scored 30 points and has averaged 25.1 points over the last seven games as well as scoring at least 22 in the past three. Rose has helped the Bulls score 99.8 points per game during its win streak after averaging 90.9 in its first 27 games. Their defence has also improved in their past five games, giving up an average of 89.6 points after previously allowing 98.6 per contest, But Durant could put that defence to the test today, Durant in his 3rd season has scored 30 or more points in seven straight games, he also scored 31 on Saturday night in Milwaukee even though the Thunder lost, Not many Thunder players came to the party that night with only Westbrook getting into double figures with 17 points, Durant had 28 points in the previous match up with the Bulls, but the Thunder couldn’t stop Rose in a 103-96 home loss on March 18. He scored 25 points on 12-of-14 shooting, and Salmons added 20. In this corresponding match last season Durant had 28 points and Collision scored 21. Rose finished with 16 points on 8-of-18 shooting.

The Bulls are 6-4 in their last 10 when facing the Thunder and have won 5 of their last 6 against the Thunder at any venue, However they did lose their last match to the Thunder here in Chicago 109-98 earlier this season, The Bulls are 2-3 ATS in their last 5 at home when facing the Thunder and Total wise 6 of the last 10 have resulted in over the set total, and of the last 5 played in Chicago 2 of those 5 games have resulted in over the set total, but 3 of those most recent 5 matches in the Windy City have resulted over this total set today.

The Bulls in their last 4 games have scored 96 or more points with two of their most recent 4 games has the Bulls scoring over 100 points, they have allowed 85 or more in those most recent 4 matches while allowing over 93 in 2 of those most recent 4 matches….Meanwhile the Thunder have scored 90 or more in 4 of their most recent 5 matches, twice they have topped 100 points and twice they have scored 97 or more, they have though allowed over 85 in their last 5 matches and over 90 points in 3 of those most recent 5 matches.

The Bulls have been shooting from the field in the low 40% range but have managed to get better in 3 of their last 4 matches hitting shots from the field at over 45%, they are still only averaging 3-4 3 pointers in their matches but they have improved with their free throw shooting and are hitting from the Charity stripe at over 85% in their last 4 matches.

The Thunder had their worst shooting game for a while against the Bucks which is a team that they have a terrible record against going 6-0 in their last 6 against the Bucks and 6-0 ATS also, so that game did stick to the script, However the Thunder are a far better side than that and have been playing well, In their 6 game winning streak they were hitting at 47% from the field, their free throw shooting sucks and they are hitting from there at a paltry 78% on their season, however they more than make up for that with their fast play running up and down the court.

The Bulls are winning and the Thunder have already shown how dangerous they can be, both sides play a different type of game but neither side is living and dying by the long range shot with either side being far more prolific driving to the basket which means that fouls should come into play here during this match, I really think that the Thunder have a lot to offer this season and so far they are showing it while the Bulls have finally turned the corner and are looking good again, I think this game will be close, real close with either side having a chance to win it, so I’m not keen on picking a winner for this match but I am keen on this game going right down to the wire with either scoring over 90 points and foul shots getting us home…Good Luck.