The Chicago Bulls host the Miami Heat tonight, Sunday May 15th, for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Chicago has won three straight of their last five meetings over Miami. NBA oddsmakers have the Bulls as -1.5 point home favourites over the Heat with the over/under set at 181.5 points. Be sure to check the Heat vs Bulls NBA Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Miami (8-2, 2-2 V) eliminated Boston in five while averaging 95.4ppg and giving up 91ppg. The Heat finished eighth in scoring during the regular season to Chicago’s 20th. It’s nothing short of taxing to guard a team that features Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade. Miami has the roster to play great defense and it’s allowing only 88.8 points per game during the playoffs. But the team’s commitment on that end of the floor can be hit-and-miss. If the Heat want to get over the hump, they will have to do a better job on the glass against the best rebounding team in the NBA (Chicago blew away the field with a plus-5.74 differential during the regular season). The Bulls dominated the boards all three times: 42-30 on Jan. 15 (James was out with an ankle injury), 53-39 on Feb. 24, and 36-30 on March 8. Miami is sitting pretty in the injury department and the stage is set for a blockbuster series.
Chicago (8-3, 5-1 H) needed six games to get past Atlanta, while averaging 92.6ppg and allowing 85.6ppg. The good news for Chicago is that Rose is completely over the ankle issue suffered in Round 1 and Boozer is looking better and better as he battles a case of turf toe. For the Bulls, Derrick Rose needs more help before his club can begin to think of itself as an offensive juggernaut. If Carlos Boozer plays like he did against Atlanta in Game 6, however, Chicago might keep pace. The Bulls were the second-best defensive team in the league behind Boston in terms of points allowed during the regular season. With a front line of Boozer, Joakim Noah, Omer Asik and Taj Gibson, Chicago should be able to force the “Big 3” to do its damage from outside the paint. Chicago won all three tilts between the two powerhouses (2-0-1 ATS) in the regular season, but not one was decided by more than four points. It should also be noted that the streaky Miami squad was mired in one of its many swoons each time it went up against Chicago. The first game came during a four-game losing streak while the second and third contests came during a stretch in which the Heat lost six of seven.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Chicago.
Under is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings.
Home team is 5-2-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Heat are 1-3-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
Underdog is 3-0-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
Bulls are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Bulls are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Bulls are 12-2-2 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Heat are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Conference Finals games.
Heat vs Bulls
When: Sunday, May-15, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Heat +1.5
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NBA Point Spreads before Heat vs Bulls game.
The Bottom Line: Derrick Rose can’t do it all by himself and if he doesn’t get help, the Heat will prevail. Be sure to check Heat vs Bulls Basketball Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
