Heat vs. Bulls Pick
Are the host Chicago Bulls going to bounce back from recent poor performances to cover the spread against the Miami Heat? Game time is 3:30PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Heat are a 6.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 197 points.
Miami enters with a 9-9 record and 7-9-2 ATS after a 109-97 victory at the Timberwolves. Chicago is 3-14 overall and 7-10 ATS following a 143-94 loss at the Warriors, its fourth defeat in a row. The Heat defeated the Bulls in Miami on Nov. 1 by a score of 97-91. The four meetings since the start of last season have gone 2-2 straight up and 2-2 ATS. The under is 3-1.
The Heat were paced by Wayne Ellington with 21 points and three rebounds off the bench in the win at Minnesota. Goran Dragic had 20 points along with six assists, four rebounds and two steals. Dion Waiters recorded 17 points and four assists, while Hassan Whiteside added 16 points and 10 boards. Miami outscored the hosts 58-48 in the first half.
In the Bulls’ loss at Golden State, Jerian Grant led the way with 21 points and three assists off the bench. Lauri Markkanen had 14 points and six rebounds. Antonio Blakeney added 11 points and three boards off the bench. Chicago trailed 74-53 at halftime.
Miami is 5-0 ATS in its last five meetings in Chicago. The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Chicago has been horrendous on the road this year, but only mediocre at home and have shown some competitive spirit at times. The last game the Bulls played at home, they defeated the Hornets by a count of 123-120. We believe that they can shake off all the blowouts at home and put up a respectable performance this afternoon at home against a Miami team that is no better than decent and might be without Whiteside (knee).
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO BULLS +6.5