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NBA Thursday trend plays: Bulls overs still running hot

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Some time away from crunching numbers can often help bettors recharge, but I wasn't pleased with the timing of the NBA All-Star break. We finished the first half of the season on a hot streak, and I'm champing at the bit to get back at it.

Thankfully, the second half will tip off Thursday with a six-game slate. Here are the best tips to keep in your back pocket before placing your wagers.

Milwaukee Bucks at Detroit Pistons (+13, 225.5)

You might want to cool on the Bucks when their games become less meaningful, but I'd still play them Thursday and in the near future. Milwaukee has been a road warrior of late, as its last six road opponents have gone under their team total. Additionally, Milwaukee has allowed just a shade over 100 points per game during that span. The Pistons scored an average of 96.5 points in the two prior meetings with the Bucks this season, and I'm not sure you can trust them to find their offense in this one.

Trend play: Pistons team total under 106.5

Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks (+6, 229.5)

Home/road defensive splits tend to be a noisy stat in the NBA, but I can't ignore how solid Miami's been away from home. In the Heat's last four road games, their opponents went under their team total all four times, averaging just 100.5 points per contest. Miami's also gone under the total in five of its last seven games away from home. Meanwhile, the under went 5-1 the last six times the Hawks faced a team with a winning record and 4-1 the last five times they played on three or more days of rest.

Trend plays: Hawks team total under 112.5, under 230.5

Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls (-4.5, 210)

The Bulls had some totals in the 230s earlier this season. Then, they started playing well defensively and numbers in the 210s were more standard. There may have been a slight overcorrection, though, because Chicago's been surging as an over team. The Bulls are on a blistering 12-2 run to the over following a straight-up loss, an 8-1 run to the over when playing on three or more days of rest, and an 8-0 run to the over in their last eight games overall. The Hornets have been a decent play too, going over in 10 of their last 12 games against teams with losing records. The over has also cashed in 10 of the last 12 meetings between these two clubs.

Trend play: Over 210

Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers (-8.5, 215.5)

The Nets closed out the first half on a high note, winning four of five contests while putting an end to the Raptors' 15-game winning streak. Brooklyn will head into Thursday's matchup against Philadelphia on a 5-0 run against the spread and is 15-7 ATS in its last 22 contests following three or more days of rest. Meanwhile, the 76ers have gone 1-5 ATS in their last six games after three-plus days off and just 2-6 ATS in their previous eight outings overall.

Trend play: Nets +8.5

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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