Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers | NBA Playoffs Game 1 Preview, Odds, Free Pick | Sportsbookbuzz.com

vs.

Chicago Bulls (62-20) vs Indiana Pacers (37-45)
Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 1:00 pm EST on ESPN

Spread: Chicago Bulls -11.5
Money Line: Bulls -1000 / Pacers +700
Over/Under: 187.5

This season: Chicago was 3-1 vs the Pacers this season

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I am still a bit surprised that the Chicago Bulls finished first in the Eastern Conference this season. Point guard Derrick Rose is clearly an elite talent but I didn’t think there was enough around him for them to rise that high. The reason they have is that they have surrounded him with a supporting cast that does everything you need to win. This team can rebound and play defense with the best of them and looks primed for what could be a multi-year run at the top of the NBA. The thing that worries me is about them is when Rose is off his game. I have never been a fan of Luol Deng or Carlos Boozer’s games even though it is hard to argue with the production – when it really matters I just don’t see them stepping up. In this series the Bulls should be able to play well from the beginning and win it with ease. If they lose a game it will be a surprise.

It is a shame that the Eastern Conference had to take 8 playoff teams as the Indiana Pacers are not really that worthy. If they are going to have any chance against the Bulls they need some masterful play form centre Roy Hibbert. Although not the quickest 5 in the league he can be very effective with his size, an area where the Bulls are limited. If he can not be a difference maker than it will be hard for the Pacers to point to anywhere else on the floor and see that they have an advantage…and if leading scorer Danny Granger isn’t healthy forget it. He is a gunner who could win a game almost all by himself. One fun aspect to watch throughout the series should be the battles between aggressive and enthusiastic rebounders Tyler Hansbrough and Joakim Noah.

The current line on this one is Bulls -11.5. That seems like an awful lot of points to spot a team in the playoffs so I think the value is on the other side.

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Prediction: Bulls will win easily but not in rout. Pacers fight the whole way to keep it within the number.

Score: Chicago 96 – Indiana 89

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Chicago Bulls vs Indiana Pacers 2011 Playoff Schedule

Game 1: Sat. April 16: Indiana @ Chicago – 1:00 pm EST on ESPN
Game 2: Mon. April 18: Indiana @ Chicago – 8:30 pm EST on TNT
Game 3: Thu. April 21: Chicago @ Indiana – 6:00 pm EST on NBA TV
Game 4: Sat. April 23: Chicago @ Indiana – 1:30 pm EST on TNT
Game 5: Tue. April 26: Indiana @ Chicago – TBD
*Game 6: Thu. April 28: Chicago @ Indiana – TBD
*Game 7: Sat. April 30: Indiana @ Chicago – TNT
* If necessary