The Chicago Bulls look to avoid a 1-3 series hole when they face the Miami Heat tonight, Tuesday May 24th, for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, at AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL. NBA oddsmakers have the Heat as -5 point home favourites over the Bulls with the over/under set at 178.5 points. Be sure to check the Bulls vs Heat NBA Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Chicago (9-5, 3-3 V) lost Game 3, in Miami, 85-96 and are down 1-2 in the Eastern Conference finals. Carlos Boozer was top producer with 26pts 17 rebounds, while Derrick Rose was held in check with 20pts. As a team they made 41% from the field, 41% at the line and 76% from beyond the arch. Rose, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, attempted just two shots in the fourth quarter in one of the most important games of his career. In back-to-back games, the Heat’s defense has dominated Rose and his Bulls in a close final period in the Eastern Conference finals. Rose attempted four shots in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and made none. It might be the difference in the series. Sunday’s loss gave Chicago its first consecutive defeats since early February. Rose didn’t receive much help offensively late in the previous two games of the series. Chicago reserve forward Taj Gibson (17 points) has outscored the rest of the Bulls combined (13 points) in the fourth quarters of the Heat’s back-to-back wins. The Bulls know it and they must get better at close-outs, or get closed out this week.
Miami (10-3, 7-0 H) got mad production from Chris Bosh, who finished with 34pts. LeBron James had 22pts 10 rebounds and Dwyane Wade had 17pts nine rebounds. As a team they made 50% from the field, 33% at the line and 86% from beyond the arch. The Heat are playing their best defense of the season. That defense begins with stopping Rose, and the game plan for limiting him will remain the same tonight. The Heat have used a mixture of double teams and traps to contain Rose on the perimeter. When he penetrates the lane, the Heat’s defenders have been quick to close off angles to the rim and force difficult shots. “We’re just trying to keep him out of the paint,” Heat reserve Mario Chalmers said. In the fourth quarter, the Heat went with Wade and James as on-the-ball defenders. “Dwyane can gap him a little bit more and give him a little more space because he can time his jumper a little better — because Dwyane’s bigger and he’s just as quick and just as fast as [Rose] is,” Bosh said. “When Dwyane is motivated to stop somebody, he does a pretty good job.”
Recent Trends to Consider:
Home team is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Under is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings.
Bulls are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Miami.
Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5.
Bulls are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
Heat are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Heat are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Bulls vs Heat
When: Tuesday, May 24, 8:30 PM ET
Pick: Heat -5
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NBA Point Spreads before Bulls vs Heat game.
The Bottom Line: The Heat haven’t lost at home in the playoffs and they won’t start now. The Bulls need full production from all teammates. Be sure to check Bulls vs Heat Basketball Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
