After getting Thunder-struck in OKC, James Harden and the Houston Rockets don’t plan on getting Bull-dozed in Chicago tonight. Meanwhile, the Memphis Tigers hope a little hometown support can stir up an upset against the hungry Huskies.
Houston Rockets vs. Chicago Bulls (7:00 PM EST)
Line: Houston Rockets (-2.5) at Chicago Bulls (+2.5); Total: 194.0
Betting on the Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets began a tough three-game road trip with a 106-98 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 66 points for the Thunder, who snapped the Rockets’ five-game winning streak.
Former Thunder 6th man James Harden continued his terrific play with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists in a losing effort to follow up his outstanding 41-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist, 6-steal performance against the Blazers on Sunday. Houston is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 road games vs. Chicago.
Betting on the Chicago Bulls
[sc:NBA240banner ]In the midst of a big six-game home stand, the Bulls have lost two out of their first three games to the Grizzlies and Spurs. Memphis limited the Bulls’ seemingly resurgent offense to just 77 points, while San Antonio blitzed them 61-33 in the first half of their most recent game. Sandwiched in between those two defeats was an impressive 95-88 overtime win over Miami Heat.
Joakim Noah is averaging 9.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 2.2 blocks while DJ Augustin is averaging a team-high 20.8 points this month. But despite their best efforts, the Bulls are now just 3-3 SU in March after ending February 8-1 SU in their last nine games.
Prediction
Houston is favored by -2.5 points in tonight’s game, and the outstanding play of James Harden will lead them toward an easy cover.
Memphis Tigers vs. Connecticut Huskies (9:00 PM EST)
Line: Memphis Tigers (-2.5) vs. Connecticut Huskies (+2.5)
Betting on the Memphis Tigers
The Memphis Tigers had a tough end to the regular season, with games against four ranked teams, and finished 4-3 SU. They dropped difficult road games against UConn and Cincinnati, but brought down both No. 7 Louisville and No. 18 SMU at home.
Those two wins pushed their home winning streak to nine games. With Memphis hosting the inaugural AAC Tournament, the Tigers will have a distinct homecourt advantage. Senior Joe Jackson (14.4 PPG, 4.6 APG) will be the key man for the Tigers. Jackson scored a season-high 24 points against UConn in their most recent meeting last month.
Betting on the Connecticut Huskies
The Connecticut Huskies saved their worst performance for last, with an 81-48 drubbing at the hands of Louisville in the regular season finale. Conference player of the year Shabazz Napier had perhaps his worst game of the season, scoring 9 points on 2-13 shooting, including just 1-10 from threes.
Prior to the defeat, the Huskies had won seven of their last eight games, including an 86-81 overtime victory over Memphis to sweep the season series. Napier had a career-high 34 points in that game against the Tigers to lead UConn. The total has gone UNDER in nine of the Huskies’ last ten games.
Prediction
Memphis has fallen twice already to the Huskies, and tonight UConn will seal the trifecta even as +3.5-point underdogs.
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