Miami Heat Face Chicago Bulls in Game 3 of Eastern Conference Semifinals
Miami were huge 13-point favorites against the Chicago Bulls in Game 2, but they easily covered the spread, crushing Chi Town in a 115-78 laugher that saw both Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson get ejected in the fourth quarter on shaky officiating. However, the Bulls shot themselves in the foot in Game 2, shooting just 36 percent from the field while Miami shot 60 percent. However, Game 3 is going to be a much stiffer test for the Heat, who will head to Chicago’s home turf. Las Vegas has listed the Heat as 6.5-point favorites, a marked difference from their double-digit lines at home.
“We know that they call it the `Madhouse on Madison’ for a reason,” Miami’s Dwyane Wade said of Chicago’s United Center. “The fans are very loud. At the end of the day, once that settles down, it’s the game of basketball and you have to execute your game plan. It’s going to be the little things that wins games for your team.”
Miami is careful not to overstate their confidence heading into Game 3. They suffered a surprising loss in Game 1 as they shook off the rust from not having played in ten days, though the blowout in Game 2 seemingly righted the ship. Still, LeBron James was cautious about expectations following the Heat’s last performance, in which Miami went on a 62-20 scoring run – with LeBron only scoring three points in the onslaught.
“It’s just one game,” he said. “Even though you got dominated the game before and you didn’t do things right, it’s still one game. You don’t get two wins if you win by over 30 or over 40. You only get one game. They’re back in their home building, where they’re very good and we have to be ready for it.”
The Bulls, meanwhile, know that they have to keep a level head for the rest of the series. They can’t afford to have their best players blow their tops and get ejected, especially late in games.
“We got to do better. We got to do a much better job of that,” Thibodeau said. “Can’t get sidetracked. We know how it will be called. We’re not going to get calls. We just got to be tough, mentally, physically, emotionally. We got to be a lot stronger.”
Overall, I think Miami finds a way to win tonight, but that the Bulls play them tough and to the end. I like Chicago at +6.5.
Here are some other gambling trends for both teams heading into tonight’s game, courtesy of OddsShark.com:
Miami Heat Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Chicago are 7-3
After playing Chicago are 9-1
After a win are 9-1
Chicago Bulls Trends:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Miami are 9-1
After playing Miami are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few Heat at Bulls trends to consider:
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Miami is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Miami’s last 14 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games at home
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Chicago is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Miami
