The NBA games betting odds would probably not change that much if Derrick Rose returned to action today, but it would be fitting if the former Bull joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in Chicago tonight. The point guard went on a hiatus “to contemplate his basketball future” but is reportedly interested in returning to the Cavs who, like the father from the parable, would welcome him back with open arms. And Rose could afford to be prodigal with the he’d forfeit if he left basketball.
Tonight we take our win streak to the Windy City!#CavsBulls PREVIEW: https://t.co/bEmC2H7eLu#AllForOne pic.twitter.com/ZiKavYpK7r
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 4, 2017
- Date: Monday, 4th December
- Time: 8:10 PM
- Venue: United Center
- Sportsbook Odds For Fans Betting on NBA Games:
Cavaliers -9 (-110) 211 (-110) -440
Bulls +9 (-110) 211 (-110) +350
A Rose By any other Dwyane
Rose would of course have a lot of ground to regain, considering Isaiah Thomas’s impending return and, more importantly, Dwyane Wade’s newfound success as sixth man. Wade is averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4 assists in 23.5 minutes per game in 19 games as a reserve. “They’re playing Dwyane a lot with the ball in his hands in that second unit, especially since Derrick has been out. He’s done a great job running the show,” Bulls head coach Fred ‘Dr. Zoidberg’ Hoiberg said. “They’re playing to the mismatch a lot. Dwyane has that with the second unit. They’re running him into the post. He’s shooting the ball well. Obviously, it’s a team that’s clicking.” And click they did in Saturday’s 116-111 win over the Grizzlies in which LeBron James scored the Cavs’ final 13 points. The Cavaliers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games, 0-5 ATS in their last five games playing a team with a losing record, and 4-1 against the NBA games betting odds spread in their last five Monday games.
Bulls divided cannot stand
The Bulls have lost eight straight games, the last two by one-point margin, which is not surprising considering they have been without power forward Nikola Mirotic and even less surprising considering one of the reasons he has been sidelined (a concussion from a fight in practice with teammate Bobby Portis). Neither Mirotic nor Portis will be in action against the Cavs, and guard Zach LaVine is also out with a torn ACL. “‘They should hurt,” Hoiberg said of the Bulls’ 18 losses in 21 games. “But as soon as they’re over, it’s about getting ready for the next one. The important thing is to take a step in the right direction.” Now they have to learn, or in some cases, re-learn how to win. Or at the very least how to cover. The Bulls are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games playing a team above .600, 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 after a loss and 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12overall. The visiting team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings in this matchup, while the Cavs are 7-24 ATS in the last 31 meetings overall and 2-6 against the NBA games betting odds spread in the last eight trips to Chicago.