Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls Prediction, Expert Picks, Odds, Injury Report, 19th April 2024

The Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls will fight for the final spot in the NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The winner of this clash will earn the 8th seed and advance to meet the top-seeded Boston Celtics in a best-of-seven 1st-round series.  Our Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls prediction is available below!

The Heat are favorites with an implied probability of 55.6% to win this one at 1.80 odds, while the Bulls are available at 2.05 odds. The point spread is +/-1.5 points and the total points line is at 205.5.

The Miami Heat will battle the Chicago Bulls on Friday night at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida for a play-in final clash. For more NBA picks from Agbeniga Ayobami and other basketball experts, visit our Expert Insights section.

Heat vs Bulls Prediction and Expert Picks: Bulls Take Advantage Without Himmy 

• Selections: Bulls +2.5
• Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: Bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Odds are available as of April 19th, 2024. 

To add salt to the wound, the Heat will be without their best player and leader, Jimmy Butler, in this clash, and that alone is a big blow to their chances. The last two games that Butler missed for Miami resulted in two defeats, with the Heat averaging just 92.5 points. 

On the positive end, the Bulls won three of their last four games and took the Knicks right down to the wire in their only loss during that stretch, which ended 120-119. So give me the Bulls here with the spread to avenge last season’s 102-91 loss to the Heat at this stage.

Heat vs Bulls Game Info

• Date: Saturday, April 20th, 2024
• Time: 00:00 (CET)
• Arena: Kaseya Center
• Location: Miami, Florida, USA.

Miami Heat Injury Report, Team News, Schedule

The Heat missed out on their chance to claim the seventh seed after a narrow 105-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Despite leading the game in the first half by 51-39, the Heat suffered a blow when Jimmy Butler hurt his knee near the end of the first half. The Heat shot 42.2% from the field, including 35.9% from three-point range. Tyler Herro led Miami with 25 points and nine assists in the loss, though he shot only nine of 27 from the floor. Jimmy Butler added 19 points with five assists and five steals before leaving the game with an ACL injury, while Jaime Jacquez Jr chipped in with 15 points off the bench.

The hosts finished the regular season with a 46-36 record, putting them just a single game behind fifth-place Orlando in the East. Jimmy Butler suffered an MCL injury and is expected to miss several weeks. Josh Richardson (shoulder), Duncan Robinson (back), and Terry Rozier (neck) are all out of this clash.

The Heat averaged 110.1 points per game this season, ranking 26th in the league. They shoot 46.5% from the floor, ranking 22nd, and 37% from beyond the arc, also ranking 19th. They average 42.3 rebounds per game, ranking 26th, and 25.8 assists per game, ranking 18th. The Heat allow 108.4 points per game, ranking 3rd. The Heat have covered 48.4% of games as a home favorite (15-16) this season. They are 41-40-2 ATS this season.

Chicago Bulls Injury Report, Team News, Schedule

The Bulls had a 131-116 win over the Atlanta Hawks in the 9th vs 10th seed play-in tournament game on Wednesday. Coby White went for a career-high 42 points in the game as the Bulls shot 56.8% from the floor, including 42.3% from three-point range. Nikola Vucevic added 24 points with 12 rebounds while DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 22 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.

The Bulls averaged 112.3 points per game this season, ranking 22nd in the league. They shoot 47% from the floor, ranking 18th, and 35.8% from beyond the arc, also ranking 20th. They average 43.8 rebounds per game, ranking 14th, and 25 assists per game, ranking 23rd. The Bulls allow 113.7 points per game, ranking 16th. The Bulls have covered 56.1% of games away from home (23-18) this season. They are 42-40-1 ATS this season and have covered 53.1% of their games as underdogs.

Zach LaVine (foot), Patrick Williams (foot), Lonzo Ball (knee), Onuralp Bitim (eye), and Julian Phillips (foot) are ruled out. Ayo Dosunmu, Andre Drummond, and Alex Caruso are all listed as questionable.

Heat vs Bulls Betting Trends: All Even ATS 

• The Heat are 41-40-2 ATS.
• The Bulls are 42-40-1 ATS.
• The Bulls have covered 53.1% (26-23-1) of their games as an underdog.
• The Heat have covered 48.4% (15-16) of their games as home favorites.
• The Heat have covered 39.0% (16-25) of their games as the host.
• The Bulls have covered 56.1% (23-18) of their games as the visitor.

Heat vs Bulls H2H: Bulls Have a Historic Egde 

The Heat and 76ers have played 161 games against each other–playoffs inclusive. The Bulls have an 83-78 record over the Heat in these clashes. The Heat and Bulls have met in the playoffs 7 times. The Heat won 4 and the Bulls have 3 wins to their name in the playoffs series. Both sides have a 2-2 record against each other this season in their 4 meetings.

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