Lakers at Bulls NBA Picks: Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers (16-6) roll into Chicago's United Center Friday night (8 PM ET, ESPN) to play the NBA Central Division leaders, Chicago Bulls (12-8). The Lakers have had their way with Chicago in recent years, having won seven straight games. The Bulls feel their team is improved and will be looking for a statement win.
Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com and most other offshore sports betting sites list the Lakers as 2-chalk favorites with a 197 1/2 total. Chicago backers are getting +110 moneyline odds as a SU home underdog, while LA is giving -130.
Early betting trends show 60 percent of side bets (ATS) falling on LA while 81 percent of NBA gamblers are betting the -130 ML the Lakers win SU. In totals betting, 62 percent of public bettors are wagering the combined total to go OVER the posted 197 1/2.
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In last years meeting (Dec. 15) at United Center, the Lakers won by nine, 96-87, falling short of covering as a 10-chalk road favorite while the 183 combined points scored fell UNDER the 193 posted total.
LA will be looking to end its current three game losing streak that began Nov. 26, losing at Utah, and following that with losses at Memphis (Nov. 26) and at Houston (Dec. 1). The Lakers will be playing the Bulls who are currently riding a two game home SU win streak and have home victories in four of their last five games. In those five home games, the Bulls are below .500 covering the point-spread in two of five games.
NBA Picks: All streaks will come to an end eventually and I look for LA's SU win streak versus Chicago to end tonight. The line is friendly too; take the Bulls -2.
