NBA Thursday Night Preview – Last Chance Before the Break

The NBA heads into the All-Star break with three games on the NBA betting schedule Thursday night.

First up on Thursday night is Miami at Chicago. The Heat head to Chicago having lost three of their last four games. Their latest loss came on Tuesday to Denver 99-82 as a 1.5-point underdog on the NBA odds. Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 33 points for Miami, but the rest of the Heat’s starters combined for only 30 points.

The Bulls moved to within one game of eighth place in the Eastern Conference Tuesday night after defeating Detroit 107-102 as a 3-point favorite. Ben Gordon led the Bulls with 24 points and Derrick Rose chipped in with 23 points in the win.

Miami and Chicago met up in late December when the Heat crushed the Bulls 90-77 as a 5.5-point favorite. Wade poured in 28 points for the Heat, while Gordon led the Bulls with only 15 points.

Second on the Thursday night schedule is Boston at Dallas. The Celtics faced New Orleans on Wednesday night after getting two days in a row off for the first time in more than a week. On Sunday a tired Celtics squad lost to San Antonio 105-99 as a 6.5-point favorite. Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead Boston in the loss.

Dallas had won six of their last seven games after rolling over Sacramento 118-100 as a 10.5-point favorite on Tuesday. Josh Howard and Antoine Wright each netted 23 points, while Dirk Nowitzki delivered 21 points and eight rebounds. The Mavericks played without Jason Terry Tuesday, and he’ll be out indefinitely with a fractured hand.

When Boston and Dallas met up last month the Celtics cruised past the Mavericks 124-100 as a 9-point home favorite. Ray Allen, Garnett and Eddie House all poured in 23 points for the Celtics in the rout.

Finishing off the Thursday night slate is Portland at Golden State. The Blazers faced Oklahoma City on Wednesday night after snapping a short two-game losing streak earlier in the week. On Sunday Portland edged New York 109-108 as a 7.5-point favorite on a layup by Brandon Roy at the buzzer. Roy finished the game with 19 points and eight assists, while Travis Outlaw led Portland with 23 points off the bench.

The Warriors have won three of their last four games after destroying the Knicks 144-127 as a 4-point favorite on Tuesday night. Eight different Warriors’ players scored in double figures in the win led by Stephen Jackson with 35 points and 10 assists.

In two pervious matchups between Portland and Golden State this season the home team has won and covered he spread each time.