GAME OF THE DAY: Bulls vs. Heat: Betting Odds: NBA Play-In Tournament.

Twitter: @GGirlSports

Tonight, is the last night of the NBA Play-In Tournament. The 7th seed Miami Heat (44-38, 27-14 Home) will play the 10th seed, Chicago Bulls (40-42, 18-23 Away). The Winner of this game will play the #1 Seed, Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Playoffs First-Round. These two teams will play tonight at 7 PM EDT, at Kaseya Center, located in Miami, Florida. The matchup will air on TNT. If you are looking for the best betting odds, here is information to know:

Betting Odds, Money Line, Spread, Under/Over

*All lines are taken from Draft Kings*

Money Line

Bulls: +185
Heat: -215

Over/Under: 208.5

Bulls: -110
Heat: -110

Spread:

Bulls: +5.5 (-110)
Heat: -5.5 (-110)

Season Matchup

Bulls 3-0 vs. Heat this season.

Game 1: Bulls 115- Heat 108.

Betting Odds: Miami (-7), Over/Under 216
Betting Results: Bulls ML, Bulls -7, OVER
Game Summary:  The Bulls were outperformed by Miami in both Field Goal and Three-Point Percentage. However, their defense continued to shine. The Bulls had 12 steals, forced the Heat to commit 19 turnovers, and had 6 blocks.

Game 2: Bulls 113- Heat 103

Betting Odds: Miami (-1.5), Over/Under 221.5
Betting Results: Bulls ML, Bulls -10, UNDER
Game Summary: In this game, Chicago was the superior team in Field Goal and Three-Point shot percentage. In addition, they led in Free-Throw Percentage (83.3), and outrebounded the Heat 39-35. The Bulls scored more points in the paint and were the better shooting team.

Game 3: Bulls 113- Heat 109

Betting Odds: Miami (-2.5), Over/Under 216
Betting Results: Bulls ML, Bulls -4, OVER
Game Summary:  While Chicago shot 50 percent from the Three, they held Miami to 27 percent beyond the arc. Furthermore, Chicago shot 100 percent from the line, and 56.3 percent from the Field. Although Miami outrebounded the Bulls 39-32, and had more points off turnovers, Chicago dominated in the paint, 42-34.

Playoff Run, Season Stats, last 10 games.

Chicago Bulls

Overall: 40-42 Home: 22-19, Away: 18-23 Last 10: 6-4.
Play-In Tournament- Chicago Beat Toronto,109 -105.

The Bulls survived the first round of the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday. Although they did not play their best game, the Bulls defeated the Raptors 109-105. Not only did Toronto outscore Chicago in the first two quarters, but the Bulls also couldn’t buy a shot. They specifically struggled from three-point range, hitting 26.9 percent of their shots. Even worse, Chicago shot 3-19 from the Three through the first three quarters of the game.

Although the Raptors outrebounded the Bulls 50-35, Chicago had 9 steals, had more points in the paint, and points off turnovers. This game ultimately came down to poor shooting for the Bulls, and free-throwing shooting for the raptors. Pascal Siakam missed two vital free-throws at the end of the game, and Toronto shot 18-36 from the line.

Guard Zach LaVine led the way for Chicago. He scored 39 points, on 12-22 from the field, and 2-7 from the Three-Point. In addition, he went 13-15 from the field. Although he didn’t make many threes, his shots mattered late in the game. LaVine was hot towards the end of the game, adding 17 points in the third quarter alone, 1 Steal, and 6 Rebounds.

DeMar DeRozan is one of the most underrated forwards in the game. He added 23 Points, on 10-19 shooting, and added 2 blocks. He contributed 7 Rebounds and shot 3-5 from the line.

Center Nikola Vučević was a force on the glass. He added 14 points and grabbed 13 total Rebounds. Guard Alex Caruso had three steals, and Forward Patrick Williams had 2 steals as well, along with 10 points.

Miami Heat

Overall: 44-38 Home: 27-14, Away: 17-24 Last 10: 6-4
Play-In Tournament- Miami Lost to Atlanta, 116-105.

The Miami Heat Missed their chance to secure the 7th Seed in the east and advance to the First-Round against the Boston Celtics. Miami had a horrible first half and was outscored 65-50 by the Atlanta. Miami was outrebounded 63-39 and allowed the Hawks bench to score 53 points. In addition, Miami got outrebounded on the offensive side 26-6. This unfortunately led to second chance points for Atlanta. Although the Hawks were cold from the Three and Free-Throw Line, they dominated Miami inside the paint 64-46. Bottom line, you cannot win games when you’re outrebounded by that much.

Kyle Lowry had his best game of the season and scored the highest points in his time with Miami. He was questionable for the game and missed a chunk of the season due to injuries. Lowry exploded for 33 points on 11-16 shooting, and 6-9 from the Three-Point. In addition, he dished out 5 Assists, and grabbed 4 Rebounds.

Tyler Herro had a rough start to this game. Herro is known to knock down threes, especially when it comes to the playoffs. In addition, he has a career 38.3 percent Three-Point Percentage in the playoffs. Although he finished with 26 points on 12-23 shooting, he shot only 2-9 from the Three. In addition, he had 4 turnovers.

Star Forward Jimmy Butler struggled in this game as well. Playoff Jimmy “buckets” is known for his playoff performances and shot only 6-19 from the field. Butler didn’t hit a single three-point shot, although he dished out 9 Assists.

Center Bam Adebayo struggled down low. He shot 5-12 from the field and added 12 points. However, he grabbed 9 boards, only 2 offensively. He’s averaged 20.4 Points Per Game in the Regular Season.

Injury Report

Chicago Bulls

PG Lonzo Ball: (OUT) Left Knee
F Justin Lewis: (OUT)

Miami Heat

F Nikola Jovic: (OUT) Back.
PG Kyle Lowry: (Questionable) Left Foot Soreness.
SF Jimmy Butler: (Questionable) Personal- expected to play.
PG Gabe Vincent: (Questionable) Back Pain

Key Players

Chicago Bulls

Zach LaVine
LaVine gave the Bulls life last game and was their best player vs. the Raptors.  As mentioned before, he exploded for 39 points, and brought this Chicago Bulls team back, who was once down 19 points.  In two games against the Heat this Season, LaVine averaged 19.5 Points Per Game, 7 Assists, 5 Rebounds. In addition, he shot 83.3 percent from the line, 42.9 Percent from the Three, and 56 Percent from the Field.  In addition, He’s averaged 37.5 Minutes against Miami this season.  Zach LaVine averaged 26.6 Points, 49.9 Percent from the Field, and 37.6 Percent from the Three on the road this season.

DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan balled out in his three games against the Heat this season. Given Miami doesn’t give up many points. DeMar averaged 28.3 Points, 1.7 Steals, 8 Assists, and 5.3 Rebounds against Miami this season. In addition, he shot 50 percent from the Three, and an amazing 64.7 percent from the field.  DeMar DeRozan averaged 25 Points Per Game, 1.1 Steals, 5.5 Assists, and 4.8 Rebounds on the Road this Season.

Nikola Vučević
As we know, rebounding is extremely important in the game of basketball. Nikola Vučević averaged 19 Points, 1.3 Blocks, and 13 Rebounds against Miami in three games this season. In addition, he shot 100 percent from the line, 40 percent from the three, and 63.2 percent from the field. Vučević will be a key player in tonight’s game offensively and defensively.

The Bulls Bench
Believe it or not, this Bulls bench is extremely important, especially on the defensive end. In their three games against Miami, Chicago’s bench averaged 33 Points Per Game, 3.3 Steals, 1 Block, and 9 Rebounds. Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso, Coby White, Andre Drummond, and Derrick Jones Jr. all have the ability to provide on the defensive end. Drummond had a key block in his last game against the Raptors.

Miami Heat

Tyler Herro
Although Herro struggled from the Three last game, he averaged 19 Points, 1.3 Steals, 3.3 Assists, and 5.3 Rebounds in his 3 games against Chicago this season. It’s important to note Herro averaged 40 percent from the Three, and 47.6 percent from the Field. Also, Tyler Herro averaged 19.3 Points, 4.4 Assists, 5.4 Rebounds, and shot 37.4 percent beyond the arc at home this season. He will be a key piece in this game, given he is one of their top shooters.

Max Strus
Max Strus is another underrated player, who only played 24 minutes and shot 1-5 against the hawks. If fully healthy, Max can be a difference maker on this Heat team. In his three games against the Bulls this season, Strus averaged 15.3 Points, 3.7 Assists, 4.7 Rebounds, and shot 40.7 Percent from the Three, and 44.1 Percent from the field. Although his numbers are lower at home, he could be an x-factor.

Bam Adebayo
If rebounding will be an issue this game, there will be extra pressure on Adebayo. In his three games against Chicago, he averaged 20.7 Points, 9.3 Rebounds, and shot 55.3 from the field.  Additionally, he will have a tough matchup with Nikola Vučević down low on the glass. It’s important to note, Adebayo averaged 20.1 Points, 8.9 Rebounds, and had an 82 Field Throw Percentage at home games this season.

Jimmy Butler
Butler had a down game against Atlanta, however, he’s the heart and soul of this team. Also, the fans do not call him “playoff Jimmy” for nothing. Past years, we have seen Jimmy Butler carry this team, and erupt for some big games. Butler averaged 24 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, and shot 54.2 percent from the field in two games against the Bulls this season. He also averaged 24.2 Points, 1.8 Steals, 5.4 Assists, and 6.4 Rebounds in home games. In those home games, Butler averaged 37 percent from the Three, and 54 percent from the field.

Key Stats

•Chicago averages 113.1 points per game.

•Miami averages 109.5 points per game (Last in the League).

•Chicago ranks 7th in points allowed with 111.8 opponents points per game.

•Miami ranks 2nd in points allowed with 109.8 opponents points per game.

•Chicago ranks 22nd in rebounds per game with 42.4.

•Miami ranks 26th in rebounds per game with 40.6.

•Chicago ranks 13th in point differential at +1.2.

•Miami ranks 21st in point differential at -0.3.

Chicago ranks 19th in blocked shots with 4.5 per game.

•Miami ranks last in blocked shots with 3.0 per game.

•Chicago averages 36.1 percent from the 3-point, while Miami averages 34.4 from the 3-point.

LAST 10 GAMES + GAME PREDICTION

 SPREAD: Bulls +5.5

-Chicago covered the spread in 6 of their last 10 games.

-Miami covered the spread in 4 of their last 10 games.

-Chicago has a 41-39-3 record ATS this season.

-Miami has a 30-50-3 record ATS this season.

-Miami is 11-26-2 in HOME games ATS this season.

-Chicago is 19-20-2 in AWAY games ATS this season.

The Bulls covered the spread in their last three games. Although they struggled against Toronto, I truly believe they have key pieces to keep up with Miami. Give me Bulls +5.5 here.

MONEY LINE: Bulls Money Line

-Chicago won the Money Line 6 out of their last 10 games.

-Miami won the Money Line 5 of their last 10 games.

Chicago is 3-0 against the Heat this season. Besides Lowry erupting for the game of his life, I don’t feel Miami has what it takes to go far this year. We saw what Chicago did in the third quarter last game. With their defense and depth, I expect them to win this game tonight against Miami.

OVER/UNDER- Over

-Chicago Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -2.86

-Miami Avg +/- vs O/U Line: -0.48

-Chicago Overall O/U Record: 38-45-0

-Miami O/U Record: 41-42-0

-Chicago hit the OVER 7 times in their last 10 games

-Miami hit the OVER 7 times in their last 10 games

These are two solid teams that do not allow many points per game. However, Chicago struggled in the last game, and still hit the over. If both teams rebound shooting wise, I expect this game to go over, slightly.

For More Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of Ballislife.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports

							

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