Bulls vs. Heat: Predictions, picks, odds for Friday's NBA Play-In Tournament game
The Miami Heat, without star player Jimmy Butler, will face the Chicago Bulls in the second game of the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament on Friday.
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 131-116 on Wednesday, and they are now just one game away from clinching the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Coby White had an impressive performance, scoring a career-high 42 points.
The Miami Heat have one final opportunity to secure a playoff spot after their narrow 105-104 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in the Play-In Tournament. Unfortunately, they will have to do so without the help of Butler, who sustained an injury in the first quarter of Wednesday's game. Multiple sources have reported that Butler will most likely be out several weeks, which would be a big blow to the Heat's potential playoff campaign.
The second Play-In Tournament game-winner between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat will advance to the NBA Playoffs, where they will play the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round.
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Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat predictions
ESPN: Heat have a 61% chance to win
According to ESPN's Matchup Predictor, the Miami Heat have a 61.5% chance to beat the Chicago Bulls in the second game of the Play-In Tournament on Friday.
Winners and Whiners: Take the Bulls
Mark Ruelle writes: "White averaged over 20 points per game vs. the Heat and will either be covered by a banged-up Terry Rozier, who missed the Sixers' game with a sore neck, or possibly Herro, a defensive liability. Chicago would be more exposed without Caruso against a team that plays at a high-level offensively but the Heat are not that team, certainly not without Butler. The Bulls will avenge last year's loss and move on to face the Celtics this weekend."
Covers: Heat -1.5
Staff writes: "he Heat will survive and advance because of their favorable matchups with the Bulls. Bam Adebayo will be able to take advantage of Nikola Vucevic on the interior, and Herro will be able to generate offense on the perimeter without Caruso at the point of the attack. The Heat should also have Duncan Robinson back after he was apparently cleared to play on Wednesday but never actually saw any minutes."
Pickswise: Bulls win
Kaseya Center writes: "While the Heat’s reliable defense is capable of keeping them in striking distance, the Bulls ride into Friday night’s game fresh off an uber-efficient offensive showing in their 131-116 win over the Hawks. Guard Coby White exploded for a game-high 42 points and the team connected on a whopping 43 percent of their 3-point attempts. With the Bulls boasting the stronger offense heading into Friday night, I like Chicago to go into Miami and claim the East’s #8 seed."
Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat betting lines, odds
The Chicago Bulls are favored to defeat the Miami Heat, according to the BetMGM odds.
Spread: Miami (-3); Chicago (+3)
Moneyline: Miami (-148); Chicago (+124)
Total Over/Under: 209.5
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How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat channel, steaming information
Game Day: Friday, April 19, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m., ET
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN+
How to watch: Catch all the NBA Play-In Tournament action on ESPN+
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bulls vs. Heat: Predictions and odds for Play-in game Friday
