NBA Thursday Parlay – Bulls vs. Celtics and Cavaliers vs. Jazz

NBA betting has just two games on the schedule Thursday night, but the amount of star power in those matchups makes up for the lack of wagering options. Here’s a look at Thursday’s doubleheader:

Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics

Chicago and Boston are no strangers, most recently standing toe-to-toe in the NBA playoffs, going the distance in a memorable seven-game series last April. This year, the teams have faced each other twice, with the Celtics taking both games in one-sided fashion, winning 118-90 and 106-80 as hefty favorites.

The Bulls have won back-to-back games over struggling teams, Detroit and Minnesota, heading into Thursday’s game. Chicago has picked up its scoring in those two wins, scoring 110 and 120 points after averaging 95 points during a three-game losing skid last week. Joakim Noah has helped out with that scoring surge, netting 20 and 16 points in those two games after averaging only 11 points this season.

Boston is still very thin up front, taking the floor without Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace in a 102-96 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Garnett is still nursing a hyperextended knee while Wallace was a late scratch against Atlanta with a foot injury. He did not play against the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday and is day-to-day, according to coach Doc Rivers, who doesn’t expect his versatile reserve back this week.

The Pick: Boston Celts 98-90

Cleveland Cavaliers at Utah Jazz

The Cavs are wrapping a four-game Western road swing in Utah on Thursday night. Cleveland has won the last two contests over Portland and Golden State after opening this road trip with a loss in Denver. The Cavaliers have gone just 1-2 against the NBA pointspreads during this span, dropping to 2-5 ATS in the last seven games.

LeBron James has done all he can for Cavs backers, scoring 35, 41, and 37 points in those three games. King James is second in scoring in the NBA, netting just over 29 points per game. In his last contest against the Jazz, James shot just 6-of-15 from the floor and 0-for-3 from 3-point range for a modest 21 points. He did, however, grab six rebounds and dish out nine assists in Cleveland’s 107-103 win as 13-point home favorites.

The Jazz welcomed starting point guard Deron Williams back on the weekend after he missed two games with an injured wrist. Williams was a bit rusty in the team’s win over Dallas on Saturday, scoring just nine points, but found his form for 23 points and 10 assists in Utah’s victory over the Miami Heat on Monday. The Jazz have been a solid bet in recent games, covering the NBA pointspread in four straight outings to improve to 22-16 ATS.

The Pick: Utah Jazz 110-98