Chicago at Sacramento – Rose and the Thorns

BetOnline NBA Basketball Betting Odds: CHICAGO -1, Total 213

Here are some of the NBA pro basketball sports betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* CHI has covered two of its last six games

* CHI has lost five of its last six games SU

* CHI has covered four of its last six road games

* CHI has lost 10 of its last 13 road games SU

* SAC has covered two of its last seven games

* SAC has lost its last seven games SU

* SAC has played six of its last nine games OVER the total

* SAC has covered one of its last eight home games

* SAC has lost four of its last five home games SU

* SAC has played four of its last five home games OVER the total

Also…

* SAC has covered six of the last seven meetings

* SAC has won 16 of the last 19 meetings SU

* Four of the last five meetings have gone UNDER the total

* SAC has won the last five meetings SU as the home team

* Four of the last six meetings in Sacramento have gone OVER the total

* SAC has had the shooting edge in five of the last seven meetings

* SAC has made more three-pointers in six of the last eight meetings

Sacramento has been horrible, losing seven straight games and covering one of their last eight at the ARCO Arena. Is Chicago really doing much better, though? The Bulls lost five games in a row until meeting up with a brick-laying Clipper bunch (36%) on Wednesday night. Kirk Hinrich has returned to action for Chicago over the last couple of weeks, but Hinrich has been hot and cold, shooting just six of 22 from beyond the arc in his last six games. Derrick Rose has also been hot and cold in his role as a distributor; in his last four games, he’s 21 assists and 17 turnovers.

Drew Gooden has been out with a groin injury, and on most nights Tyrus Thomas does not come out and assert himself at either forward spot. Coach Vinny Del Negro has been having a lot of questions about his team’s attitude, especially after a number of Bulls were seen smiling as they walked out of the United Center after a recent loss to Minnesota. ”A lot of things bother me. You can’t think you’re going to be able to control everything," he said.

There are not a whole lot of things to be encouraged about with the Kings, but rookie Jason Thompson is one of them. Thompson was one of the guys snubbed for the Rookie-Sophomore game that is going to be held during NBA All-Star weekend, and he responded with 21 points and 11 rebounds against the Boston Celtics. Kevin Martin has scored pretty consistently, but Brad Miller has not, and may be shopped before the trade deadline. Spencer Hawes has talked about approaching management about his decreased playing time, which is not good news from a second-year player, but he may get his wish if Miller is dealt.

That win in the Staples Center was only the sixth road victory for Chicago all season, against 17 losses. Still, they may have more going for them than this Sacramento team that has allowed 48% shooting, not to mention giving up 120 points a game over the last nine. We’re careful here, but we’ll go with the Bulls, the one-point favorite in the NBA pro basketball sports betting odds.

JAY’S PLAY: CHICAGO -1 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

(Charles Jay makes his share of shots from the top of the key as a contributor to the BetOnline Locker Room)