One of the more intriguing games on the NBA slate tips tonight when the (14-9) LA Lakers invade the United Center to take on the (8-13) Chicago Bulls. Before the season started, you couldn’t open up a Chicago or Los Angeles sport section and not read about Kobe being shipped to the Bulls for a bulk of their younger talent. However, the Lakers wanted too much in return and an agreement never came to pass. The trade rumors played a major role in the Bulls slow start this season, but LA has managed just fine and currently find themselves in the #2 position in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.

These clubs met a month ago to the day in the Staples Center, and it was the Lakers that came out on top by a 106-78 final count. The game was played the night after the Bulls had defeated the Clippers on the same exact floor, and was the third leg of the Bulls circus trip that’s haunted them ever since MJ hung up his shoes.

The revenge match finds the Bulls 2.5-point home favorites with the ‘Total’ set at 202. The Lakers have split their 10 road games this season (5-5), but they’ve churned out a winning mark ATS going 6-4 (60%). The Bulls haven’t dominated at home like in years past and come into tonight’s game with a 5-5 SU mark and a losing mark ATS going 4-6 (40%). LA is a combined 13-10 ATS (57%) on the road vs. sub .500 non-divisional Eastern Conference opponents, and the Bulls are a combined 9-16 ATS (36%) at home vs. + .500 non-divisional Western Conference foes.

Still, I don’t like this spot for the visitors and I foresee the Bulls putting forth a huge effort tonight in an attempt to finally turn the page on the drama that plagued them up until last week. They’ve had 3 days to prepare for this match-up, and their offense has finally woken up and should be able to take advantage of a Lakers defense that’s ranked in the lower third of the league allowing 102 PPG. I foresee the Bulls winning this game SU, and it’s a manageable number for them to have to win by to cash our ticket. Lay the bucket with the Bulls as they avenge their earlier season loss and get the best of both Phil and Kobe…

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