The Chicago Bulls (16-27) look to put an end to the seven-game winning streak of Miami when they welcome the Heat (25-17) to United Center. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 206.5 points with Chicago set as a 1.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15, 2018, and it can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago.
Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls Free Preview
The Heat won big over the Milwaukee Bucks in their last matchup, 97-79. With 15 points and 10 rebounds, Hassan Whiteside had a good performance for Miami. The Heat held the Bucks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.342 (below their season average of 0.538) and had a better turnover percentage (13.3 vs. 14.2).
In the Bulls last game, they topped the Detroit Pistons, 107-105. Chicago was lifted by Kris Dunn, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Chicago’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Detroit. The Bulls had a rate of 0.580 (above their season average of 0.500), while the Pistons posted a mark of 0.511.
It could be a tough game for Chicago on the offensive glass. The Bulls are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 27th in offensive rebounding percentage at 19.8 percent. Meanwhile, Miami ranks fifth in the league at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 79.4 percent.
These two teams are complete opposites in terms of the O/U total. Miami games have finished under 56.1 percent of the time, while games featuring Chicago have finished over 58.1 percent of the time. The Heat hold the sizable advantage straight up (SU) (25-17 vs. 16-27), but the Bulls have been better against the spread (ATS) (24-16-3 vs. 18-21-2).
Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Heat, it’s been Goran Dragic, who has averaged 20.6 points, 7.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds, while the Bulls have gotten solid contributions from Lauri Markkanen (20.0 points and 8.8 rebounds).
These two teams have already met twice this season, with the Heat winning both. James Johnson recorded 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the most recent game, in which the Heat beat the Bulls 100-93 but could not cover as 7.5-point favorites. The two teams combined to put up 193 points, which was just 1.5 points below the projected point total of 194.5 points. The Heat played a nearly flawless game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.253 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.540. The Bulls were 0.146 and 0.449, respectively, for those same stats.
Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Heat, ATS Winner – Heat, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Heat rank eighth in rebounds allowed per game (42.0) while the Bulls rank 28th (45.6).
- Chicago ranks 23rd in second chance points per game (10.5) while Miami ranks 27th (9.9).
- Chicago ranks 18th in fast break points per game (10.4) while Miami ranks 28th (7.5).
- Miami is 13-8 ATS on the road with 13 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
- Chicago is 11-8-2 ATS at home with 11 unders and 10 overs.
- Chicago is 5-5 when they allow less than 100 points, while Miami is 15-3.
- The Bulls are 14-11 when they score over 100 points, while the Heat are 18-6.
- The Heat rank 24th in points off turnovers per game (15.2) while the Bulls rank 28th (14.2).
- Miami ranks second in assists allowed per game (19.8) while Chicago ranks 28th (24.8).
- The Heat rank first in three pointers allowed per game (24.9) while the Bulls rank 24th (30.6).
- The Heat are 27th in the league with 40.8 points in the paint per game while the Bulls are 28th with 40.6 points in the paint per game.
- Miami ranks seventh in blocks per game (5.1) while Chicago ranks 27th (3.8).
Betting Trends:
- Chicago is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Miami is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Bulls average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.0, up from 5.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Heat have scored an average of 102.2 points per game (1.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 95.8 points per game (5.6 below their season average).
