After a dramatic 19-point comeback win against the Raptors, the tenth seed Bulls head to Miami to take on the eighth seed Heat in a must-win to clinch the final seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game is expected to tip-off at 07:00 PM ET, Friday, April 14th, 2023.
Miami come into this game a 5.5 point favorite, something Chicago will need to overcome if they’re to keep their season alive.
MATCH PREVIEW
The Heat and the Bulls will face off in a highly-anticipated NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament matchup to secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Both teams have been gearing up for this moment and will leave no stone unturned to emerge victorious.
The Heat has a record of 24-28 against Eastern Conference teams, and they have been impressive in games decided by less than four points with a 14-8 record. Their top performers include center Bam Adebayo, who has been averaging 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, and Jimmy Butler, who has been averaging 17.7 points and 5.6 assists over the past 10 games.
On the other hand, the Bulls have a conference record of 27-25, and they are currently ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference. They have been scoring an impressive 48.4 points per game in the paint, thanks in part to the efforts of big man Nikola Vucevic, who has been averaging 17.6 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Zach LaVine has also been in top form, averaging 21.9 points and 4.8 assists over the past 10 games for Chicago.
Both teams have been performing well in their past 10 games, with the Heat recording a 6-4 record, averaging 113.0 points, 38.3 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 6.7 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the field. Meanwhile, the Bulls have a similar record of 6-4, averaging 112.8 points, 40.1 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 9.3 steals, and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting at an impressive 50.3 percent from the field.
This is going to be a high-octane matchup, and fans can expect to witness some incredible basketball skills on display. The winner of this game will secure the final spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, making this match all the more exciting.
ODDS AND PREDICTIONS
The Heat have been the worst team against the spread this season, which is bad news for Heat fans. They underperformed in the first round of the play-ins against Atlanta, and it seems like they may continue to struggle in their upcoming game against the Bulls. Momentum is important in the postseason, and the Bulls were able to rally back from a big deficit to win on the road in Toronto, while Miami couldn’t mount a similar comeback on their home floor.
Chicago’s star players, LaVine and DaMar DeRozan, are healthy and playing well, which will be a challenge for Miami defensively. Butler cannot guard both of them, and Miami will have to make some tough decisions regarding who to match up against Chicago’s star wings. Tyler Herro, Max Strus, or Kyle Lowry will have to step up, and this will ultimately favor the Bulls. Additionally, Vucevic’s tough inside presence can limit Adebayo’s impact.
Chicago swept Miami this season, and none of the games were very close. The Bulls have played better than the Heat in all of their matchups, and it seems like their star wings will power their team to victory. The Bulls a great chance to win outright, taking the 5.5 points is the safe bet here.
Therefore, the recommended NBA betting prediction is to take Chicago to cover the spread. But remember, it’s important to keep in mind that sports betting always involves a degree of risk, and there’s no guarantee that this Bulls team will not be fatigued from their recent matchup, nor that Adebayo or Herro won’t pick up the load offensively. As always, it’s essential to do your research and make an informed decision based on the available data.
Spread: Heat -5.5
Moneyline: Heat -223, Bulls +184
Pick: Bulls +5.5
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