Heat, Bulls Square Off in Eastern Conference Semis
The Chicago Bulls heroically beat the Brooklyn Nets in the first round despite a bevy of injuries and an even greater lack of scoring. However, their efforts will not be rewarded; they are set to face the Miami Heat in game 1 one of the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight. The Heat were set as early 11.5-point favorites in this match.
“Them being the Bulls is enough,” Heat forward Chris Bosh said. “Heat-Bulls, I think that’s enough to really get your minds going and have some passion for the series. I mean, it’s the second round. We have some major accomplishments we’re trying to get to and they’re a good, tough basketball team. I think given our history before, that’s enough to lace `em up and get going.”
Of course, the Bulls ended the Heat’s legendary 27-game winning streak in the regular season, though both teams are long past it. However, there is one main takeaway that gamblers and casual viewers alike can take from that streak-ending, hard foul-filled bloodbath: the Chicago Bulls simply will not allow the Miami Heat to sweep them. They are too tough, and too physical, for that to occur.
“We know how good Miami is,” Thibodeau said. “We’re going to have to be at our best, or playing great basketball. They’re a very deep team, extremely well-coached, very well-balanced. So we’re going to have to be at our best, right from the start.”
“It’s going to be hard-fought,” Heat forward Shane Battier said. “It’s going to be physical. It’s going to be emotional. And I think it’s going to be well-played. That’s all that matters.”
However, the Heat will have a huge advantage in this game. They have been resting for over a week after promptly sweeping the Milwaukee Bucks out of the playoffs in the first round, and the Bulls are doubtlessly drained after their seven-game bout with Brooklyn. What’s important for them now is to not fall into complacency.
“We’re preparing to make sure that we play our game, in our building,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We haven’t played in a week and we understand that. We’ve been working hard this week. Our guys are looking forward to getting out there and competing. So let’s tip this thing up.”
All in all, I don’t like Miami to cover any double-digit spread in this series. The Bulls are simply too relentless and airtight on defense to allow that kind of scoring binge.
Here are some betting trends to consider for these two historic franchises as we head into tonight’s big game, courtesy of OddsShark.com:
Chicago Bulls Trends:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Miami are 7-3
After playing Brooklyn are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Chicago are 8-2
After playing Milwaukee are 10-0
After a win are 10-0
A few Bulls at Heat trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 6 games when playing Miami
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last 6 games
