Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls (-3.5, 194.5)
The Chicago Bulls have followed three straight losses with three consecutive wins to kick off a five-game homestand. The Bulls will try to make it four in a row on Wednesday against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, who are struggling to find consistency as well.
Memphis joined the small ball revolution by removing Zach Randolph and Tony Allen from the starting five prior to a 100-97 loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday and kept the smaller set during a 112-95 triumph over the Washington Wizards on Monday. “The two main guys who benefit from the spacing is Jeff Green and Mike Conley,” Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger told reporters. “Jeff Green really took advantage of it (on Sunday), had a big night, got up 20 shots and was aggressive. Those kind of things make more guys threats and so we just have to learn to play that way.” Chicago made a similar switch with Joakim Noah heading to the bench prior to the start of the season and is still adapting to coach Fred Hoiberg’s scheme. The latest change moved Tony Snell into the starting lineup, and he responded with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes on Monday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Chicago
LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Bulls as 3.5-point home favorites and the total at 194.5.
INJURY REPORT:
Grizzlies - SG T. Allen (questionable Wednesday, knee), PF B. Wright (out indefinitely, knee), SG J. Adams (out indefinitely, knee), PF J. Martin (out indefinitely, foot).
Bulls - PG D. Rose (probable Wednesday, illness), SG M. Dunleavy (Mid January, back).
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Grizzlies (+1.3) - Bulls (-4.3) + home court (-3) = Bulls -6
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "There has been no home court advantage recently in this series with the road team going a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS in the past five head-to-head meetings. It will be interesting to see if that trend holds up considering the Bulls are 10-3 SU at home this season, compared to just 4-5 SU on the road. The Grizzlies have been a better road team that most, going 6-6 SU away, compared to just 8-6 SU at home so far this season." Covers Expert Steve Merril.
WHAT BOOKS SAY: "Opened Chicago -4.5 and got sharp play on Grizzlies, so moved line to the current number of Bulls -3.5. One injury to keep eye on is Derrick Rose, who is listed as probable (illness). Sixty-two percent of betting cash is backing Memphis." Jerome Perry, TopBet.eu.
DANCE TEAM WAR:
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (14-12, 11-14-1 ATS, 13-13 O/U): The lineup changes only work if veterans like Randolph buy into new roles, and so far it seems to be working for Memphis. “It’s different. I’ve got to learn how to adjust to it,” Randolph told reporters. “But as long as I go out there and keep playing hard, whether it’s eight minutes or five minutes, I just need to go out there and do what I can do.” Randolph managed eight points in 21 minutes on Monday while six others reached double figures.
ABOUT THE BULLS (14-8, 8-14 ATS, 7-14-1 O/U): Chicago trailed by five points at the half against NBA-worst Philadelphia on Monday before dominating after the break and going onto a 115-96 win. "We obviously have an issue right now with playing with the right energy,” Noah told reporters. “I think that it's definitely something we need to (change). This team has an identity of playing with intensity and the right energy. That's been our identity for a while now. I think it's up to us to find that, play hard the whole game." Noah collected 15 rebounds and eight assists in 22 minutes off the bench on Monday.
TWEET BEAT:
TRENDS:
* Grizzlies are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Bulls are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-0 in Grizzlies last 5 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 9-1 in Bulls last 10 vs. Western Conference.
COVERS CONSENSUS: Sixty-five percent of Covers users are backing the Bulls.
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