Heat vs. Bulls Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA Play-In Tournament, 4/16
Following last night’s first two Play-In Tournament games are another two tonight, which start in Chicago with the Bulls hosting the Miami Heat. These teams knew their matchup nearly a week ago now, so they should be well prepared for this game. To get you prepared for it, we’ve shared our best Heat vs. Bulls predictions.
Speaking of best, you’ll be able to use the best bet from our Heat vs. Bulls picks with the best odds thanks to today’s guaranteed Novig promo code bonus!
Heat vs. Bulls Predictions For Tonight NBA Play-In Tournament, 4/16
Given that it’s been a full year since, perhaps it’s worth a reminder that we saw this same matchup in last year’s Play-In Tournament. It was a bit of a different situation - it came after the Heat lost their first game and the Bulls won theirs. Despite that, Miami ended up making it as the #8 seed by downing Chicago.
That previous matchup is certainly one to look back on for Heat vs. Bulls predictions, as is the one that just happened a week ago! These Eastern Conference foes met exactly seven days ago, which was an eight-point Bulls win. Not only did they get their revenge in that game, but they did so all season, going 3-0 against the Heat this year.
However, can they do it when it matters most? Our preferred approach is to not have to trust either side to come out on top, which should make our best bet far from a mystery.
Miami Heat: Far From Bullish Against The Bulls
As noted above, the Heat are 0-3 against the Bulls this season, and from a betting perspective, they are also 0-3 in terms of covering the spread in those games. What’s even more concerning for Miami fans is that all three of those games have come rather recently, starting at the beginning of February and occurring almost exactly a month apart from one another.
As if that wasn’t a bad enough outlook for fans in South Beach, Miami was favored in all three of those games. The one that happened just last week was one that was necessary to avoid being the #10 seed, but as we saw, they didn't come through. Is it a case of missing playoff Jimmy Butler, or are there more issues for the Heat?
Chicago Bulls: Giddy For Josh Giddey
Forgive the forced pun, but there’s no denying that fans in the Windy City are very appreciative of Josh Giddey this season. He’s arguably the primary reason that the team even has a chance for a true playoff spot, but he did not travel to Philly for Chicago’s final game of the season due to a wrist injury.
They are still optimistic for him to be good to go tonight, and he’s going to be needed. The Bulls shooting guard was a beast against the Heat last week, recording a triple-double with 28 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. He’s also just 0.7 assists shy of averaging a triple-double in his last 19 games!
Heat vs. Bulls Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
- Point Spread: Miami Heat +1.5 (-107) vs. Chicago Bulls -1.5 (-107)
- Money Line: Miami Heat (+105) vs. Chicago Bulls (-108)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 219.5 (-105) vs. Under 219.5 (-102)
Heat vs. Bulls Best Bet: Under 219.5 Points (-102 at Novig)
Well, we asked if Chicago could get their revenge when it mattered most, but for the best bet from our Heat vs. Bulls predictions, we’re going to avoid answering that question altogether. Instead, we’re just going to focus on a low-scoring game.
Of tonight’s two Play-In Tournament games, we expected this one to have the lower total of the two. However, that’s not the case, and we’ll gladly take the value. Looking back on last year’s Play-In matchup between these teams lends to that, as does Miami’s performances in the playoffs overall.
Of course, no longer having playoff Jimmy Butler to put up buckets certainly helps as well, and low-scoring games have been the trend more often than not for Miami games. In last year’s playoffs, the Heat averaged just 92.2 points per game. Similarly, the Bulls were eliminated by Miami due to scoring just 91 points.
If you’re insistent on picking a side for your Heat vs. Bulls picks, but with the pressure on, we’re preferring a pick on the total. Along with no Lonzo Ball, we’re taking the under 219.5 points (-102 at Novig) as the best bet from our Heat vs. Bulls predictions.
Heat vs. Bulls Injury Report & Starting Lineup
While Lonzo Ball is not expected to be on the court, the rest of the Heat vs. Bulls injury report lingering from Sunday is very skewed. Since both teams already knew their matchup, they opted to rest everyone for the final day of the season. So, we expect normal starters on the court tonight - here are the Heat vs. Bulls projected lineups:
MIA Heat:
CHI Bulls:
How To Bet On Heat vs. Bulls At Novig & Claim Your 50% Discount With Code ALARM
Now, to move onto the best way to capitalize on our Heat vs. Bulls predictions, or any picks for that matter - how do the best odds sound? That’s what you get at Novig with the commission-free platform, and with Novig Coins used to make picks, here’s how to snag your first bundle with a guaranteed discount:
- Sign up here for a new Novig account
- Enter our Novig promo code ALARM
- Find a coin bundle worth up to $25
- Receive a 50% discount no matter what
That’s half the price for what will already allow you to make picks on the best lines out there! You’ll want those odds for the NBA playoffs, so be sure to become a new member today using our exclusive Novig promo code ALARM.
Looking for more NBA picks and strategy? From props to playoff insights, we’ve got you covered.
Fantasy Alarm is your go-to for expert NBA coverage. Join the conversation in our Discord and don’t miss our breakdowns on YouTube and X.
Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.