After a tormenting six-game road trip in which they came up with a 2-3 record, the Chicago Bulls (32-20) are finally coming home. Awaiting them in United Center this coming Tuesday are the Sacramento Kings (18-32), who refreshed themselves with a win on Sunday by beating the Phoenix Suns.
Speaking of the Suns, click here for a full preview of their matchup against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night, and read on for more on the Bulls’ homecoming game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Sacramento Kings vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Where: United Center, Chicago
When: Tuesday, February 10, 2015, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Sacramento Kings (+10.5) vs. Chicago Bulls (-10.5); total 197.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Sacramento Kings
Behind yet another monstrous effort by DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings ended their three-game skid by beating the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, 85-83. Cousins scored 28 points, including the game-winning jumper as time expired, and added 12 rebounds to lead the Kings.
[sc:NBA240banner ]A lot was expected from Cousins in the Phoenix game as the Kings were missing two starters in Rudy Gay and Darren Collison due to injuries. Gay (sore left foot) is listed day-to-day and in case he misses the game in Chicago, expect Omri Casspi to take his place in the starting unit again.
Casspi started and scored just three points in 20 minutes in the Suns game, but can bounce back versus the Bulls, against whom he scored 14 points off the bench in the Kings’ 103-88 upset win over Chicago on November 20.
Collison, meanwhile, is dealing with a hip injury. If he’ll miss the Chicago game, Ramon Sessions will likely form the starting backcourt once again with Ben McLemore. Sessions and McLemore scored 10 and 13 points, respectively, against Phoenix.
McLemore has been scoring well as of late. The former Kansas Jayhawk is averaging 12.8 PPG over the last four Kings’ games.
The Kings are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games in Chicago.
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Betting on the Chicago Bulls
Similar to Sacramento’s win over the Suns, the Bulls were rescued by their big man in Pau Gasol, who made a game-winning put-back slam to lead Chicago past the Orlando Magic on Sunday, 98-97. It was the second-straight victory by the Bulls, who also beat the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, 107-72.
Chicago was actually losing the game against Orlando, as the Magic held a six-point lead with just under 50 seconds in regulation. But a couple of free throws by Jimmy Butler, a triple by Derrick Rose, a turnover by Evan Fournier, and Gasol’s put back all helped the Bulls stage a successful comeback.
Rose had an off night against the Magic, scoring only 10 points on 4-for-14 shooting from the field. He did impact the offense more, though, with his playmaking as he finished the game with 11 assists. Rose, who missed the first meeting with Sacramento this season to deal with a hamstring injury, should pose a big threat for the Kings’ defense that gives up 104.1 PPG, including 49.8 PPG to opposing teams’ backcourts.
The Bulls made Orlando pay for its 16 turnovers, as they were able to score 25 points off those errors. Chicago’s ability to prey on its opponents’ turnovers will be key against a Kings team that averages 16.4 miscues a game.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 102-95.
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