The Chicago Bulls (28-14) have practically run away from their competiton in the NBA's Central Division, leading second place Indiana by 10 1/2 games. On Thursday ( 8 pm ET), the Bulls will host the Dallas Mavericks (27-14), who hold the second place spot in the Southwest Division. This game is the first of a Thursday night NBA Double-Header to be televised on TNT Network. Odds makers at most offshore sports shops list the Bulls as 3 1/2-chalk favorites in this one with a combined point total of 185 1/2. NBA betting fans can keep tabs of the most up to the moment NBA Spreads , prior to making their picks.
With sports betting, sometimes it pays to buck a trend and that's exactly what we urged our NBA readers to do on Wednesday, calling for the Dallas Mavericks to upset the Lakers, in spite of their six game losing streak. Just as we predicted, the Mavericks used the Lakers game as a rallying cry, busting the losing streak and cashing as plus-3 home underdogs and with the 109-100.
The betting public isn't buying the Bulls 3 1/2-point favorites chalk listed by odds makers. Early betting trends show 69 percent of bets are on the Mavericks to cover the chalk and 59 percent of money line action is wagered on Dallas to win the game outright. Total's betting indicates 90 percent of the action falling on the combined score to go OVER the posted 185 1/2 points.
Look for the Mavericks to follow their victory over LA with one on the road tonight. The Mavericks are catching the Bulls in a vulnerable position with both their big men, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah sidlined with injuries. Last time out without Boozer, the Bulls lost 83-82 at home to the Charlotte Bobcats as 7 1/2-chalk favorites.
BEST BET- Mavs +3 1/2.
