Bulls vs. Thunder: OKC PG Russell Westbrook's Rose-Less Path Will Be Key
Russell Westbrook is coming off one of his best performances of the 2011-12 campaign, as the Oklahoma City Thunder (39-12) get ready to host the Chicago Bulls (42-11) inside Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Thunder as 4.5-point home favorites against the Bulls since the visitor will be playing without last year's Most Valuable Player.
Still nursing a groin injury, Derrick Rose will miss his ninth consecutive game, which will give Westbrook the ability to drive to the basket at will against the team with the Eastern Conference's best record.
The former UCLA Bruins star out of Long Beach, Calif., was brilliant in leading the Thunder to a 102-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers as one-point road favorites Friday night, pouring in 36 points and handing out six assists. Westbrook pairs up with fellow All-Star Kevin Durant to make up the NBA's highest-scoring duo heading into Sunday's action, combining for 52.1 points per game.
Oklahoma City (39-12) has the best record in the Western Conference and would be the No. 2 overall seed behind Chicago if the playoffs started at the conclusion of this high-profile affair. The Thunder are a dominating 22-4 overall at home this season, including a 6-1 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents.
Sports bettors will likely fade the Thunder in this spot due to their 1-8 against-the-spread (ATS) record at home against winning road teams, while the Bulls are 35-17 ATS when playing outside of the Windy City.
Early Prediction: Chicago Bulls +4.5
