NBA TNT Preview- San Antonio Spurs versus Chicago Bulls Point Spread Total Money Line Las Vegas Odds 02-17-2011

Thursday night’s game features two of the most dynamic, high-powered offenses in the league. The betting line opened up at -2 and has remained the same with the over under opening at -110 and remaining the same.

The league best San Antonio Spurs look to end their nine-game road trip with a seventh victory against the Bulls who are also looking promising before the All-Star break with their 15th win in 16 games. The Spurs come into this game with three win streaks of 8 games or more, and is the NBA’s top road team with a 21-7 record.

San Antonio opened their road trip with a loss to Portland but since has won six of seven. They did put up a loss against Philadelphia after a bad shooting night but came back with a 24-point win at Washington and added another win against New Jersey on Monday. With a win tonight the Spurs would have their best record on their annual rodeo trip since 2002-03 when they headed into the break with eight straight wins. They also went on to win the NBA title that season.

Chicago cannot wait to have an extra boost of Joakim Noah returning from a thumb injury after the break. The Bulls however have been doing well without him. Only the Spurs have a better record than the Bulls since Dec.26. They just won their ninth game out of 11 with Luol Deng dropping 24 points in a 106-94 victory over Charlotte. Chicago has given up an average of 84.5 points in the last 15 games at the United Center.

The last time these two teams met on Nov. 17 Chicago was missing Carlos Boozer that could have been a key to their loss. Tim Duncan had 16 points and 18 rebounds with San Antonio making a comeback from a 17-point first-half deficit to win 103-94. Taj Gibson, who was filling in for Boozer, missed all of his seven shots and had no points. Boozer put up great numbers against the Spurs last season with the Jazz, averaging 25.8 points, and 11.3 rebounds in four wins. With all the eyes being on the Boozer and Duncan matchup Dejuan Blair is what might give the Spurs the edge in the paint with Noah out. He has averaged 13.4 points and 11 rebounds on the road trip.

This game also features two of the league’s best scoring point guards in Derrick Rose who scored 33 points in their first meeting and Tony Parker who had 21. These teams have split the last four visits to Chicago but the Spurs are 31-2 when Parker scores 17 points or more. This should be a battle in the paint and the backcourt. Check out Jorge Gonzalez’s TNT 25* Prime Time Winner!