NBA Betting Predictions – Can Chicago Bulls Turn The Tide?

On Monday night, the Chicago Bulls did everything they could to try and steal a game before sending the series back home. LeBron James had other intentions, dropping 40-points and burning down the building in the fourth quarter to edge the Bulls 112-102. It was a half-point shy of clearing the betting line, and a shrinking basketball spread could invite more people to rally behind the Bulls. That would be a very bad mistake.

Just to back up a second, do you know when you walk in to a bar a club and there’s always some guy that has a booth, doesn’t seem like that big of a deal but he’s raining down cash like he’s a big shot and spending tons of money to act like he owns the joint? Well LeBron James is that guy, and his “money” has been dropping huge performances in his potential, future homes.

Chicago has been a heavy favorite to land LeBron James this summer, and though the Bulls might detest the superstar right now, they would love to have him in the house that MJ built. The three destinations he’s been rumored to go, outside of Cleveland are Chicago, the Clippers and the New Jersey. He hasn’t disappointed the hometown crowds.

LeBron’s Own Your House

@ New York Knicks November 6th, 2009 33 points, 9 assists, 8 boards @ LA Clippers January 16th, 2010 32 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds @ New Jersey Nets March 3rd, 2010 26 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds @ Chicago Bulls March 19th, 2010 29 points, 7 assists, 11 rebounds

It’s a small sampling of what LeBron is capable of, and he absolutely loves tempting the hopefuls to land him. When he visits Chicago on Thursday night for Game 3, he’ll be looking to impress the Chicago crowd again and possibly preview just what he’s capable of. That’s why Cleveland bettors should be licking their chops at this basketball betting line.

Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21) vs. Chicago Bulls (41-41)
Thursday, April 22nd — United Center — 7:00pm EST
NBA Betting Line: Cleveland -3.5 (192.5)

The Bulls are still 1-1 ATS in this series, but a half-point victory over a +10.5 line shouldn’t be cause for sudden favor. Even with a double-double by Joakim Noah, who dropped 25 points and hauled down 13 boards against a huge Cleveland front court, the Bulls looked pedestrian against the powerhouse Cavaliers.

I like what the Bulls have been able to do in this series. Their three main guys have come out to play, but nothing can stop LeBron James. He wants his team resting heading in to the second round and to do that he’ll have to sweep this series. I’d expect a much more normalized line here, but even a fevered crowd at the United Center isn’t enough to convince me that LeBron won’t be ready to put on a show in Game 3.

The rallying of the home town fans will give rise to better shooting on Kirk Hinrich’s part, who went just 2-of-8 from the field and 1-of-3 from range, and Chicago’s three heroes will still play gangbusters. But this is LeBron’s playoffs and we all know it. This is an NBA betting prediction that is too easy to make.

Furious Free Pick: Cleveland -3.5 (OVER)