The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat continue their rough-and-tumble NBA Eastern Conference finals Sunday in Miami with Game-3. The conference top-seeds Bulls and 2-seed Heat have had a few days off since battering each other in Game-2 at Chicago's United Center where Miami came away with the win. This best of seven series is now knotted at 1-1.
The Heat's win in Game-2, that sent the series to Miami tied up, has convinced oddsmakers to adjust series NBA Predictions and betting prices, now favoring Miami on the NBA Lines board at -200 while Bulls backers are now getting +170 underdog odds.
For today's Game-3, the Heat are lined as 4 1/2-chalk favorites on the Bodog.com NBA Odds board with a 179 total. The Heat are giving -200 for a SU win on the offshore moneyline while Bulls backers are getting +170.
A major key to Miami's victory in Game-2 was their ability to limit the Bulls scoring. Chicago had four field goals in the final 13 minutes, all by Taj Gibson who was coming off the bench. Miami outpaced Chicago by 14-10 in the final period.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was not a happy camper following the game."We have to execute better. We have to screen better, said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We have to keep the ball moving. But we have to get some easy baskets, too." The Bulls failed on that in Game-2.
Team Trends Chicago: The Bulls went 62-20 SU in the regular season and was good for backers going 50-31-1 ATS. The Bulls have played well of late going 10-2 SU in their last 12 games on the road and 18-4 SU in their last 22 games at home or on the road. Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last five games when playing Miami. The Bulls are 9-1 SU after a loss.
Team Trends Miami: The Heat finished the regular season 58-24 SU but were below .500 ATS going 39-42-1. The Heat are 5-0 out of five at home and 5-1 of six games at home when playing the Bulls. The Heat are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games anywhere and are 8-2 on Sunday. After a win, the Heat are 7-3.
NBA Predictions : I look for the Heat to capitalize on their Game-2 victory and get back to back wins on home court.
