The Miami Heat (49-28) visit United Center Saturday to take on the Chicago Bulls (45-32). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Heat vs. Bulls odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Heat come into this game sitting atop the Eastern Conference. They lead the Milwaukee Bucks by 1 game and the Boston Celtics by 1.5 games. This will be a huge game for the standings against the fifth-place Chicago Bulls.
Miami is coming off a 106-98 road win over the Celtics Wednesday, covering as a 5-point underdog. The Heat have covered two straight games but are just 2-7 against the spread (ATS) over their last nine outings.
Chicago, who has had notable struggles against top-tier teams in both conferences, is coming in following a 135-130 home overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday.
The Bulls have covered three of their last four games yet are 4-12 ATS over their last 16. Chicago is led by G DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 28.0 points per game this season.
- Money line: Heat -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Bulls +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Heat -2.5 (-108) | Bulls +2.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Heat at Bulls key injuries
Heat
- G Caleb Martin (calf) questionable
- F Max Strus (Right SC) questionable
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) out
- G Zach LaVine (knee) probable
Heat at Bulls odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Heat 114, Bulls 109
Money line
LEAN to HEAT (-140).
I would rather play the Heat on the money line and pay the extra price here.
Chicago is 27-10 at home, so it’s a difficult side to beat at United Center. However, the Bulls are 0-16 against the top three teams from each conference.
The Heat are also finally at full strength and coming off a huge win in Boston. Miami is 13-8 as an away favorite and has a gritty defense that should be able to tame DeRozan and LaVine.
The Bulls are 11th in offensive rating, with the Heat at 12th. The real difference for these teams comes defensively, where the Heat are fourth compared to the Bulls’ 20th.
I’ll take the stronger defense that has been solid as road favorites, but considering the price on the money line, it’s just a LEAN to the HEAT (-140).