The 10th-seed Chicago Bulls (40-42) take on the 7th-seed Miami Heat (44-38) Friday at Kaseya Arena for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Bulls vs. Heat odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Bulls pulled off a remarkable comeback against the Toronto Raptors Wednesday to become the 1st 10 seed to win their play-in game. The Bulls won 109-105 after trailing by 19 points as a 6.5-point road underdog. F Zach LaVine took over in the 4th quarter and ended the game with 39 points.
The Miami Heat fell in an early hole against the Atlanta Hawks and after a fighting back in the 2nd half could not overcome the deficit and lost 116-105 in Tuesday’s play-in game as a 5,5-point home favorite. Heat G Kyle Lowry scored 33 of the team’s 37 bench points.
The Bulls took the season series 3-0, winning by 24 points and 8 points twice.
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Bulls at Heat odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:29 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bulls +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Heat -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +5.5 (-110) | Heat -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 208.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Bulls at Heat key injuries
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) out
Heat
- F Nikola Jovic (back) out
- G Kyle Lowry (knee) questionable
- G Gabe Vincent (hip) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Bulls at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Heat 115, Bulls 104
Moneyline
G DeMar DeRozan had his revenge game against the Toronto Raptors, and now its Miami F Jimmy Butler’s turn against his former team.
Miami is 27-15 at home and even better when they are a home favorite. The Heat’s defense is their biggest strength and they cause 15.7 turnovers a game (3rd-best in the NBA).
However, the current line is not worth the risk so PASS.
Against the spread
The underdogs are 4-0 ATS for the play-in tournament, which adds a little concern when I say I like the Heat to cover. Miami has covered in 5 of their last 7 games after an ATS loss. And the Bulls are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 against teams with a home record above .600%.
LEAN HEAT -5.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Both teams lean more on their defense and neither has a strong offense, but the line is at 208.5. That is roughly 20 points under the average line this season. Teams scoring over 100 points used to be celebrated, now it is assumed.
While the Bulls and Heat rank 22nd and 30th in points per game, their defense has one gaping hole, the 3-point shot. The Bulls rank 29th in 3-pointers allowed (13.2). The Heat are technically better, but just barely, ranking 28th (13.1).
BET OVER 208.5 (-110).
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