The Bulls and Heat The teams are competing in the Play-In Tournament for the third successive year, however, a different standout player is expected this time. Jimmy Butler supported the Heat during the 2023 match-up. In contrast, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez, and Kevin Love contributed sufficient points for Miami to progress in 2024.
On Wednesday, the Heat aim to secure their third consecutive win; however, the Bulls possess the current edge due to their recent surge. Since the trade deadline, they’ve compiled an impressive record of 17 wins against 13 losses, significantly altering their lineup. Conversely, the Heat’s performance has dipped as they’ve managed only 12 victories compared to 21 defeats following Butler’s departure.
Recently, Miami has been performing slightly better, securing victory in eight out of their last twelve games heading into the end of the season. Both squads have chosen to compete earnestly instead of deliberately losing. The contest, coupled with an opportunity to grab the No. 8 seed should they triumph, serves as their prize.
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Bulls vs. Heat prediction
The Bulls hold the home-court edge for this crucial game where winning means staying alive and losing sends them packing. Despite their mediocre performance at home with an 18-23 record, they're still considered slight favorites according to the bookmakers.
The result will hinge on two factors. First, we'll see how effectively Josh Giddey plays despite battling a wrist injury that sidelined him for three of the past four games. Second, it depends on whether Chicago maintains their dominance in fast-break situations.
Over the past several months, Giddey has handled high-pressure situations effectively. Expect him to deliver another solid showing. However, the Heat will likely come fully prepared to counter the Bulls' rapid transition game. If they can slow things down sufficiently, this could result in a narrow victory for Miami, which would be somewhat uncommon.
SN AWARDS:
- All-NBA
- Rookie of the Year
- Player of the Year for Defense
Bulls vs. Heat odds
The Bulls start off as one-point favorites against the Heat.
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
| Bulls | -1.0 (-110) | O 219.5 (-105) | -115 |
| Heat | +1.0 (-110) | U 219.5 (-115) | +170 |
All betting lines and odds are from BetMGM an approved gambling operator for the NBA
MORE: Betting tips for the Heat versus Bulls matchup, along with player prop predictions for their Play-In game scheduled for Wednesday, April 16.
Bulls versus Heat injury update
The Bulls will have to do without Ayo Dosunmu, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. Giddey is expected to suit up despite his right wrist issue. Lonzo Ball and Tre Jones are considered day-to-day but seem improbable to take part in the game.
The Heat have Pelle Larson, Isaiah Stevens, Alec Burks, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Love, and Andrew Wiggins listed as day-to-day.
MORE: Predictions for the NBA Playoffs, round by round
Bulls against Heat: Date, Time, TV Channel
- Date: Wednesday, April 16
- Time : 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT
- TV channel: ESPN
Bulls against Heat: Key Matchups and Strategies
Will Giddey stay effective with an injured wrist?
Against the Heat this season, Giddey has put up an impressive performance, averaging 26 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds across their three encounters. This includes a standout 28-point triple-double effort in an 119-111 victory toward the end of the season, which secured home-court advantage for the Bulls heading into this match-up.
Giddey was played off the court in last year's playoffs after the Mavericks parked their center on him and ignored him on offense. Other teams have mimicked that strategy, and the Heat did it during that April game by having Bam Adebayo start on him. In theory, Adebayo could roam off Giddey and provide help against drives.
Giddey has made that approach far less feasible due to his impressive shooting. Most of his attempts are clean looks, yet he's managed to make 37.8 percent of his three-pointers this season.
Can he maintain his accuracy with a wrist injury on his shooting hand? When the Heat played under screens for him, he punished their strategy effectively. nailing those shots in previous matchups.
An additional method Giddey has countered that approach is by pushing the ball upcourt quickly and taking advantage of retreating big men. His forays to the basket have become considerably bolder, leaving Adebayo struggling as he exploited that rapid tempo. Even Giddey managed to take control in these situations. score a coast-to-coast layup versus the Heat's center last week following an inbound pass after their made layup.
Giddey forces opponents to face consequences for underestimating him through intelligent movements and locating open areas close to the hoop. Despite his height of 6 feet 8 inches, he hasn’t excelled as a finisher around the rim. However, he’s compensated for this by increasingly seeking physical confrontations and varying his shooting techniques when laying the ball up. Giddey employs tactics similar to an unpredictable knuckleball pitcher, surprising defenders with unconventional finishing moves designed to throw them off balance.
Despite his impressive play towards the end of the year, Giddey has also experienced some tough games. The outcome of this match might significantly influence the contract he secures during the upcoming summer. Should he manage to overcome previous subpar playoff showings, the Bulls ought to emerge victorious, leading to substantial compensation for him down the line.
Whose team's area has an advantage?
On their previous encounter, both squads extensively utilized zone defenses against each other.
The Heat’s 2-3 zone defense has been in place for multiple seasons and is typically among the top such defenses in the league. They often employ one of their guards to apply pressure upfront before transitioning into this formation, which helps conceal some of their less proficient defenders behind it.
When Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan were part of the Bulls' lineup, the team wasn’t heavily focused on using the zone defense. However, this year has seen them incorporate it significantly more into their strategy, particularly towards the end of the season.
To counteract this defensive setup, The Heat frequently attempt to overwhelm one flank or position skilled playmakers such as Kyle Anderson near the center of the court where he can control the game.
Both the Heat and the Bulls tend to switch from their defensive schemes right after scoring or when play stops during the game. Observant fans can predict which defense is up next by watching for a high-five gesture indicating man-to-man coverage or a clenched fist signaling zone defense. Whichever team manages to effectively counter this switching strategy consistently would gain a significant edge over the other.
The Heat's preferred tactic: Focusing on Coby White and Josh Giddey
Giddey and White put in strong performances, yet their defensive capabilities are constrained; Giddey lacks the physicality, and White faces challenges because of his stature.
Throughout their matches, the Heat aimed to focus on both players. Whenever White faced larger opponents inside, they passed the ball to him. This strategy compelled the Bulls to provide extra defense during those plays, which ended up giving the Heat favorable scoring opportunities.
When Giddey was guarding the Heat’s backcourt players, they tended to take him on individually. In particular, Davion Mitchell aggressively drove towards the basket.
This season, the Bulls have maintained an ordinary defensive performance, placing 19th overall and 14th since the trading deadline. Given that the Heat aren’t showcasing a strong offensive game, the Bulls will need to capitalize on every advantage available to them.
The Bulls' preferred approach: Pushing the pace in fast breaks
The Chicago Bulls secured the third spot in the NBA for fast-break points with an average of 18.5 per game during the regular season. They maintained a perfect 3-0 record against the Miami Heat by excelling more than their opponents in this aspect. In their last encounter in April, even after playing their third game in just four days, the Bulls managed to score 24 fast-break points, whereas the Heat enjoyed a complete night’s rest before the match.
The Bulls wear down opponents with their constant assault from beyond the arc and fast-break points. They perform well in the latter stages of games and excel under pressure. Conversely, the Heat struggle, squandering many contests when it matters most.
The benefit of that transition usually diminishes during the playoffs when teams are better prepared for it. Erik Spoelstra will likely make that the top priority in the Miami Heat’s defensive strategy.
How the Bulls defeated the Heat
The Bulls require Giddey to continue making three-pointers and staying assertive with his scoring. They must ensure that the Heat doesn’t escape by assigning a tall player solely to guard him.
The Chicago team frequently experiences significant variability in their three-point shooting due to the high number of attempts they make. By the end of the season, they were tied for third place in terms of three-point shots attempted per game. Should they heat up from beyond the arc, victory will likely be theirs. However, even with average shooting performance, they could still come out on top by capitalizing on their edge in fast-break opportunities.
They're likely to falter if they end up in a rocky showdown.
How the Heat defeated the Bulls
The Heat must intensify their gameplay here. The Bulls aren’t particularly strong when it comes to generating advantages in the half-court setup, and Miami boasted the ninth-best defense in such scenarios during the season. Should they manage to push Chicago into taking deeper shots from the clock, they’ll likely come out victorious.
The Heat rely heavily on Tyler Herro for significant scoring contributions. Currently, the Bulls lack an effective perimeter defender who can handle this challenge effectively. During their previous encounter, Kevin Huerter was tasked with guarding Herro and gave his best effort, yet Herro still managed to score 30 points. Additionally, Nikola Vucevic does not excel as a shot-blocker within the paint. This could allow Herro ample opportunities to drive towards the basket throughout the game.