Chicago (2-0) at Brooklyn (1-2)
When: Monday, October 31st 2016
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Time: 7:35 ET | TV: NBA TV
The Chicago Bulls begin a stretch of 11 road games as part of their next 14 contests when they visit the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. The Bulls new-look roster with Dwayne Wade, Rajon Rondo, and Jimmy Butler is off to a good start with wins over Indiana and Boston already. “Offensively we moved the ball exceptionally well,” Wade told reporters after a 118-101 win over the Pacers on Saturday. “It’s good to see this early in the season. We have the format to how we need to play.” Reserve forward Doug McDermott was the one who stole the show on Friday, draining 5-of-6 from 3-point range en route to a team-high 23 points in the win over Indiana. The strong effort from the bench allowed the starters to rest a bit more, with Butler’s 26 minutes ranking as the most among the starting five. Rondo is 3-of-14 from the field in the first two games but has totaled 22 assists. Chicago’s road trip includes five games on the West Coast in eight days.
Open an Account at Bovada Sportsbook Now! Sign up at Bovada.lv to get up to a $250 Deposit Bonus and to bet all the Web’s best NBA Basketball odds and props!
The Nets have also beaten the Pacers for their only win in three games thus far. The other two losses came on the road including a heart-breaking 110-108 loss in Milwaukee on a last second tip-in. Brooklyn gave one of its key players a little extra rest on Saturday as well by not even taking center Brook Lopez on the trip for the second night of the back-to-back. The decision was an organizational one aimed at keeping Lopez healthy throughout the season, and the Nets plan to give several players planned days off throughout the season. Brooklyn has six players averaging double-digits in points including Jeremy Lin, who has also contributed 19 assists over the last two games. The Nets play the first of four straight at home, but none of those games will be on back-to-back nights.
The Bulls have all the stars in this game, but the Nets have been very competitive so far this season and they’re getting points at home. Brook Lopez will be back in the lineup and I think Brooklyn will keep Chicago under 100 points.
Pick: Nets +5.5
