Bulls, Celtics square off Thursday night

Just over a week to go in the NBA regular season, and much has yet to be decided. The Chicago Bulls lead the Eastern Conference, but the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat still have a chance to overtake them. Boston gets one more shot at Chicago on Thursday night when the two teams hook up for a national TV game at the United Center (8 pm Eastern, TNT).

Wednesday's NBA slate at oddsmaker.ag includes several games matching playoff contenders.

The New York Knicks, who just clinched their first playoff berth in seven years, visit the six seed in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers (7 pm Eastern). The Houston Rockets, who have won four in a row and sit three games out of the eight spot in the West, visit one of the teams they're chasing, the seventh-seeded New Orleans Hornets (8 Eastern).

And the Denver Nuggets, who have been unbelievably good since their big trade of six weeks ago and own the five seed in the West, visit the three seed out there, the Dallas Mavericks (8:30 Eastern, ESPN).

After leading the East for most of this season Boston has fallen to the three spot on that side of the bracket, going 7-8 straight-up and 6-9 vs. the oddsmaker.ag pointspreads over its last 15 games.

Chicago, meanwhile, has won three games in a row, seven of its last eight, and 15 of its last 17 to take over the top spot in the East. And the Bulls only trail San Antonio by a game and a half in the battle for the best record in the league, and home-court advantage throughout the upcoming NBA playoffs.

Boston thought it was going to get back two of its big men in the middle for a playoff run when the O'Neal boys returned to action recently. But those hopes took a hit Sunday when the Big Shamrock tweaked his calf just five minutes into his comeback, limped to the locker room, and did not return. His status for Thursday night's game is uncertain.

Boston leads the season series with Chicago two games to one. The Celtics beat the Bulls back in November 110-105 in overtime, and 104-92 in December; Chicago got on the board with a 90-79 victory in January. The totals went 2-1 in those games, but the first one was an UNDER after regulation, and only went OVER in the extra period.

As of Tuesday morning oddsmaker.ag is listing the Bulls and Celtics both at +150 to win the East. Boston is also getting +200 to win the NBA championship, with Chicago at +300.