The Chicago Bulls have been involved in several high-scoring contests lately, but I think the posted total is set too high when they host the LA Lakers here Friday night. Under is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings at United Center. The Lakers are coming off three straight victories and they've really stepped it up on the defensive end lately. Under is 9-1 in Lakers last 10 vs. a team with a losing straight up record and they shot only 21-of-36 from the charity stripe against the Celtics their last time out.

"The message right now is defense," Walton told reporters Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Everything is defense. Because we're shooting this (percentage) from the free throw line, because we're not doing this -- whatever it is -- we're still able to win games because of our defense."

My selection is a 10* play on Under.