The Miami Heat will look to take a similar path to the 2024 NBA playoffs as they did last year as they try to earn the East's eighth seed when they battle the Chicago Bulls in a 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament matchup on Friday. The Bulls (39-43), who advanced with a 131-116 win over Atlanta on Wednesday, are 19-22 on the road, including 1-1 at Miami. The Heat (46-36), who were also an eighth seed last season but reached the NBA Finals, dropped a 105-104 decision to the 76ers on Wednesday. Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) are out for Miami, while Ayo Dosunmu (quad), Alex Caruso (ankle) and Andre Drummond (ankle) are questionable for Chicago.
The game from the Kaseya Center in Miami will tip off at 7 p.m. ET. Chicago is averaging 112.3 points per game, 22nd-best in the NBA, while Miami averages 110.1, 26th-best. The Heat are 1.5-point favorites in the latest Bulls vs. Heat odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 206. Before making any Heat vs. Bulls picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 88-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,600. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bulls vs. Heat and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Heat vs. Bulls:
- Bulls vs. Heat spread: Miami -1.5
- Bulls vs. Heat over/under: 206 points
- Bulls vs. Heat money line: Chicago +104, Miami -123
- CHI: The Bulls had a minus-1.4 point differential during the regular season
- MIA: The Heat were 32-20 against Eastern Conference foes in 2023-24
- Bulls vs. Heat picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Heat can cover
Center Bam Adebayo registered a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia. He has reached double-digit scoring in 18 of his last 19 games, including 12 double-doubles in that span. In 71 games, all starts, he is averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 34 minutes. He has played well against the Bulls throughout his career. In 18 games against Chicago, he is averaging 15.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes.
Also giving Miami valuable minutes is guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. In Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia, Jaquez came off the bench and played more than 22 minutes, scoring 15 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out two assists. He has reached double-figure scoring in three consecutive games, including a 20-point and nine-assist effort in a 125-103 win over Toronto on April 12. For the season, he has played in 75 games, including 20 starts, and is averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and one steal in 28.2 minutes. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Bulls can cover
Small forward DeMar DeRozan powers Chicago's offense. In 79 games, all starts, DeRozan has been dominant, averaging 24 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals. In his last four regular-season games, he scored no fewer than 30 points, including a 39-point performance in a 127-105 win at Detroit on April 11. In four games against the Heat this season, he is averaging 22 points, four rebounds, 4.5 assists and one block.
Point guard Coby White has been effective of late, scoring a career-high 42 points in Wednesday's win over the Hawks. In Sunday's regular-season finale at New York, he scored 26 points, while dishing out four assists in a 120-119 overtime loss. He had 20 points, four rebounds and four assists in a 129-127 win at Washington on April 12. In 79 games, including 78 starts, he is averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 36.5 minutes. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Heat vs. Bulls picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 217 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can only get the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Bulls vs. Heat, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that's 88-58 on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
