By the time the action gets started in the NBA on Thursday night, there may well be a few teams who look a little different than they did a couple of days prior. The trade deadline is looming large and both the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to be on the lookout for potential deals. These two teams will hook up at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Thursday, February 18, with the game time set for 8 PM EST on TNT. We will keep you posted with the latest NBA online lines anytime soon.
Betting on Chicago Bulls Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Pro Hoops
When: Thursday, February 18th, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Where: The Q Arena
TV: TNT
Radio: WTAM 1100
Opening NBA Odds: TBA
Given how the Cavaliers have been playing in their own building this season, it would be a shock to see them as anything other than a pretty solid favorite to win this one. The Chicago Bulls tend to save their best ball for the better teams, though, so they may be able to spring the mild upset.
Why bet on the Chicago Bulls
The Bulls (27-25) were one team that were delighted to see the All-Star Break finally arrive, as they were sinking like a stone in the final couple of weeks of the first half. Thy have lot 4 straight games, and 6 of their last 7, which has dropped them down to 7th in the Eastern Conference, 11 games back of the pace being set by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls are 16-15 against teams from the East this season, and are just 2 games below .500 in match-ups versus teams with a winning record. This is not a bad team, but rather one that has been saddled with more than their fair share of injuries. A few deadline day deals may help turn their fortunes around. The Bulls are averaging 101.2 PPG, and are giving up 101.9 PPG.
Why bet on the Cleveland Cavaliers
You would assume that all would be well with a team entering the All-Star Break with a 3-game lead in their conference, but that is not the case in Cleveland (38-14). This is a team that has already made a coaching change, and who are rumored to be ready to make a big splash at the trade deadline. All of that aside, though, you cannot discount what the Cavs have been able to do in their own building this season. They went 22-4 on home court through the first half of the season, and there is no reason why that dominance should not continue. While they have feasted on the poorer teams in the league, Cleveland are also a solid 15-11 against teams with a winning record. The Cavaliers are averaging 102.9 PPG, and are giving up 96.9 PPG.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
The Chicago Bulls are one of the few teams that have been able to solve the Cavaliers this season, as they have already beaten them twice. I just don’t see them making it 3 in a row, especially since they are so banged up.
