NBA Upset Alert – Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

NBA Playoffs 1st Round Underdog Pick ­– Chicago Bulls +400 to Win Series

BetOnline sportsbook has all your action covered for the 2009 NBA Playoffs, which start tomorrow at 12:30pm EST. The first game features two of the most storied franchises in NBA history, the second seeded Boston Celtics, and the seventh seeded Chicago Bulls.

Along with game by game action, the BetOnline sportsbook has series prices on all playoff matchups. Just correctly predict the winner of the seven game series and you win the bet. I’ll give you my analysis of the Bulls vs. Celtics matchup, the current lines at the sportsbook, and my pick.

This series was supposed to be a no-brainer. The Celtics are the reigning world champions and finished the season with 62 victories. The Bulls, led by their rookie point guard, were simply a team looking for some playoff experience for the future. That picture started to change for the Celtics after the all-star break when Garnett went down with an injury. Then he was back, but couldn’t play. Rivers and Ainge decided to “rest” him so he’d be ready for the playoffs. The injury was never named, never revealed. Some questions dogged Celtics observers: how did they convince a competitor like Garnett to sit out without a serious injury? Why didn’t they bring him back for the last couple regular season games like they originally planned?

Now it all becomes clear. Garnett’s condition is serious; he won’t play in the first round and most doubt he’ll play at all this postseason. The Big Three is now a Medium-Sized Two. Boston is still a favorite, as Pierce and Allen give them more offensive weaponry and playoff savvy then the Bulls have. However, Chicago won the last meeting 127-121, despite 37 from Paul Pierce. Unsurprisingly, given the score, Garnett was out. Chicago shot 53% from the field in the win, with Salmons netting 38 and Brad Miller scoring 21. Rose only had 11 on 4-11 shooting. If Paul Pierce has to shoulder the scoring load in the playoffs, who’s going to guard Salmons, a lights-out scorer?

If Boston can’t maintain their defensive energy and swagger without Garnett, especially early in the series, they’re going to lose confidence and become vulnerable to an upset. Boston’s not a team that will have success just trying to outscore you. Chicago’s been a new team since the deal for Salmons and Miller, and Rose definitely seems like the type to step his game up in the playoffs. Chicago’s key to the series is their young frontcourt. Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas need to maintain their recent high-energy, high efficiency play for Chicago to have a chance.

Boston is still a favorite and I think they’ll probably win in 6 or 7, but they’re vulnerable and the Bulls are definitely the type of nothing-to-lose squad that can pull off a first round upset (see Golden State Warriors from 2007).

If you believe in bad omens, Danny Ainge, the Celtics GM, had a heart attack yesterday morning. Although he is resting comfortably, it appears to be a sign of upcoming heart break for the C’s.

Current series prices for the Bulls-Celtics matchup in the BetOnline NBA sportsbook are:

Chicago Bulls +400
Boston Celtics -550

My first round NBA playoffs underdog pick is:

Chicago Bulls +400