NBA 2021/22 on Thursday, 13.01.2022
In probably no other sport than basketball do we get offered reliable bangers within a very short time. Tonight, for example, it’s the Chicago Bulls looking to beat the Brooklyn Nets for the third time this season.
And indeed, the chances are good – at least in my Bulls Nets tip I strongly assume a home win. Because as you will find out below, things could hardly be better for Chicago, while the New Yorkers don’t look quite as solid at the moment.
In the end, the score was 133-87 in favour of Chicago, who will now go into today’s NBA clash against the Nets in fantastic shape: The Bulls have not lost any games and have breathtaking stats.
Just look at their record over the last 10 games: 9-1 wins, averaging 119.9 points, 43.5 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.6 blocks per game with a remarkable shooting rate of 50.9% from the field.
The Bulls are already in a playoff mood – and it would be a miracle if we don’t see Chicago again in the postseason. The Nets, on the other hand, are cursed whenever their three superstars come together.
After the Big Three, consisting of Durant, Harden and Irving, recently stood together on the floor for the first time this season against the Pacers, it didn’t take long for one or the other of the top performers to come forward with bad news.
The trio had not been complete since the win over the Pacers – the consequence? Brooklyn lost the games against the Bucks and Trailblazers and only managed a razor-thin 121-119 victory against the Spurs, who were severely weakened by Covid.
Brooklyn would have to draw from a full complement of players in order to win against the Bulls, but that cannot be guaranteed at this stage. That’s because James Harden and Kyrie Irving are officially listed as day-to-day.
Nevertheless, it can be strongly assumed that at least vaccination refusenik Kyrie Irving will be used. But the question rightly arises whether the New Yorkers could win at all, even if the entire arsenal were to be deployed.
Because James Harden always looks particularly bad against the Bulls defence. If The Beard still impressed us with breathtaking performances in December, there was usually no way around the LaVine/Ball duo.
Harden has been averaging 25 points per season since the beginning of the season! But in the last two NBA games against the Bulls, the brawny New York guard converted only 14 points each time!
No wonder Chicago won both games of the season against the Nets! In November, the Black-and-Whites were outscored 118-95, while the following victory in December was a little closer at 111-107.
But that game was played on the East Coast. Back at the United Center, home court advantage is a must, as the Illinois franchise always makes the most of it
Finally, Chicago has won each of its last nine home games at the familiar United Center. In fact, the red and whites even seem to want to break their club record!
The various bookmakers also see the home side with the advantage – albeit only very slightly. The average odds for the Bulls to win are a slightly lower 1.83!
Conclusion: The Bulls could not be in better shape. The squad is complete, they have home court advantage on their side and last night they even managed a breathtaking display of power against the Pistons.
For the visitors, on the other hand, the question marks are multiplying: Will Harden play? Will Irving play? But even if they were to play, that would be no guarantee that the Nets would be able to win.
After all, Chicago has won both of its season duels against the dreaded Brooklyn team. The success in front of the home crowd – where the performance is usually better – was the clearer of the two victories for the red and white team.
My Bulls Nets tip is therefore: The Bulls win again!
