Bulls at Knicks NBA Spreads Odds & Predictions - Dec 25 2010

Bulls at Knicks NBA Spreads Odds & Predictions: It's an exciting time, for NBA fans anyway, when the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks will be playing a meaningful game on Christmas Day. The Bulls are leading the NBA Central Division with an 18-9 record while the Knicks are in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 17-12 mark. Today's game tips off at New York's Madison Square Garden at Noon ET and will be televised on ESPN.

Oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com and most offshore sports books list the Knicks as 2-chalk favorites versus the Bulls with a posted total of 206 1/2 points. Bulls backers are getting +110 odds on the SBG Global moneyline while the Knicks are giving -130.

The Knicks were the better team in the teams first matchup back on Nov. 4 when New York stole a 120-112 victory at the United Center in Chicago. The Knicks won that game as a +6 1/2 point road dog.

Most NBA bettors (64%) are wagering the Knicks cover the 2-chalk line in today's game while 36 % are taking the Bulls and the points. Chicago is getting the backing of 60% of the public for a SU win while 84% of gamblers are wagering the combined score goes OVER the posted 206 1/2.

New York is much improved and competitive so far in the 2010-11 season, but only have a .500 home SU record at 7-7. The Knicks have been a better road team with a 10-5 mark. In covering the betting spread in home games the Knicks cashed for backers in seven games while in six games failed to cover with one push. The Knicks have been much better ATS away from the Garden, covering the spread in 12-of-15 games.

In the Knicks last 10 games, they have a 4-2 SU home record, fared 3-1 on the road for a combined 7-3 mark. In their last 10 games, New York has cashed ATS 4-of-6 times while cashing in 3-of-4 on the road for a 7-3 mark overall.

Chicago is best at home with an 11-3 SU record, but still are on in the plus margin on the road with a 7-6 SU mark and 18-9 overall. The Bulls cover the betting spread very well on the road with a 9-4 mark and are 17-10 ATS for the season. In their last 10 games the Bulls have gone 6-1 at home and are 3-0 SU. Chicago is 5-2 ATS at home over the 10 game span and are 2-1 ATS on the road for an overall 7-3 ATS mark.

In the first go-round between the Knicks and Bulls, Chicago was shorthanded without their power forward Carlos Boozer. The big man is back for today's game, but on the down side, the Bulls will probably be without post man Joakim Noah.

A key to today's game will be if the Knicks can continue their hot outside shooting, something that doomed the Bulls in the teams first meeting at United Center. The Knicks made 16 three pointers in their first encounter, five by Tony Doublas who scored a career high 30 points.

NBA Predictions : I thought the Bulls were the team to beat at home back in November, but not today. It's true, they are looking for their 10th win in 11 games, but the Knicks should cool them off on Christmas day. I like the Knicks giving -2.