$100 Match Bonus from Bodog!
Open an new account with Bodog and deposit $100 or more for a $100 match bonus!

BetUS $500 Match Bonus
Sign up for a new account with BetUS and deposit $500 or more to get a $500 match bonus.

NBA Playoff Odds: Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls Game 3

Written by Jimmy Boyd on April 22, 2009

celtics-bulls-game-3 The Eastern Conference Playoff series between the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics and the No. 7 seed Chicago Bulls heads to Chicago Thursday night with the series tied at 1-1. You can catch the action at 8:00 pm EST on TNT. We’ve seen a lot of blowouts in the first couple games of the playoffs but not in this series. Game 1 was decided in overtime and Game 2 was decided by a Ray Allen buzzer beater. The odds makers are expecting another tight one in Game 3 and have listed the Chicago Bulls as the 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 200.5.

Most didn’t give the Bulls a chance heading into this series against the reigning NBA Finals champs, but with Kevin Garnett out injured, and with Leon Powe going down last game with a season ending knee injury, things have gotten a whole lot more interesting. One of Boston’s strengths has been its front line depth with guys like Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Leon Powe spelling Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, but now Davis will have to continue to produce in a starting role. Davis gives the Celtics a big body to give up some fouls and get a few energy buckets, but now he is going to have to be so much more. So far so good. He came up big in Game 2, playing over 40 minutes, scoring 26 points, and pulling down 9 rebounds. The Celtics can’t afford to see his production dwindle if they are going to win on the road. If you think Boston will continue to get a big lift from Davis, bet the Celtics at +2.5 in Game 3 at Bookmaker and receive a 20% cash sign up bonus.

We’ve seen a couple exciting individual duels in the first two games. In Game 1 it was point guards Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose carrying their teams. Rondo had 29 points, 7 assists, and 9 rebounds only to be outshined by Rose’s 36 points and 11 assists. In Game 2 it was a couple former UConn Huskies having a good old fashioned shootout. Ben Gordon was sensational for the Bulls, lighting it up for 42 points. Ray Allen caught fire in the second half and ended up with 30 points including the game winner.

The Bulls have been a solid home team all season long, finishing the regular season with a 28-13 mark, but they face a Celtics squad which has shown the ability to win away from home, finishing with a 27-14 road record. Based on the line, odds makers are figuring that it is going to be tougher for the Celtics to win on the road without Kevin Garnett in the middle. The pace in each of the first two games has favored the Bulls. Chicago averages 102.6 points per game on the season and that number jumps up to 104.3 at home. The Bulls want to keep pushing the pace with its younger, more athletic team against a banged up Celtics squad. It’s been a while since the great basketball fans of Chicago have had a team to really get behind and you can bet the United Center will be rocking Thursday night. If you like Chicago to hold serve at home, bet the Bulls at -2.5 in Game 3.

Make sure you check out Jimmy Boyd’s NBA picks before doing any NBA wagering on this game to see which team he likes to beat the NBA odds.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: