A likely East final preview is on the NBA betting menu tonight as the visiting Miami Heat look to cover the spread at United Center against the Chicago Bulls.
Miami is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road as they take on the league's best rebounding team. The teams have met twice this season with the home team winning by four points each time.
Expect the point spread to be very close when it opens this morning at Sportsbook.
The Bulls sit at 44-14 (33-24-1 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Heat are currently 40-16 (27-29 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Chicago is 31-27 OU, and Miami is 24-30-2 OU.
View Miami vs Chicago Odds and Stats.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Bulls sit at No. 1 in the current NBA Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Heat are at No. 3 on that chart. Math models have concluded that the Bulls will win this game 103-102.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Chicago's No. 15-ranked offense, averaging 96.8 PPG, against a Heat defense that ranks No. 8 at 93.6 PPG. The Bulls field goal percentage has averaged 45.3% so far, less than the Heat shooters have achieved on the year, 47.4% per game.
Defensively, the Heat feature the league's No. 12-rated defense on the road, allowing 96.1 points per game. Chicago, meanwhile, comes in at No. 21 in the league in scoring at home.
The Heat were a 115-107 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Celtics. They failed to cover the 7.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (222) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. LeBron James chucked in 36 points for Miami on Tuesday, but they still came up short in losing 115-107 at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Bulls were a 98-86 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Knicks. They covered the 7-point spread as favorites, while the total score (184) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. Chicago earned a 98-86 victory over New York on Tuesday, getting 20 points from Richard Hamilton at United Center.
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Charlotte are 7-3
After playing Boston are 8-2
After a loss are 7-3
Chicago Bulls Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 7-3
After playing New York are 9-1
After a win are 6-4
A few Heat at Bulls trends to consider:
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami's last 11 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
Chicago is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home
Chicago is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chicago's last 11 games when playing at home against Miami
Next up:
Miami home to Charlotte, Friday, April 13
Chicago at Detroit, Sunday, April 15
