Bulls vs. Heat Picks, Predictions: Miami Begins Season as Big Favorite
The Chicago Bulls begin the season without Lonzo Ball, while the Miami Heat begin their quest to make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals, and possibly beyond. Check out our top Bulls-Heat picks below.
The Heat finally get back on the floor after a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. After winning 53 games in the regular season and earning the East’s top seed, the Heat did a great job retaining players this offseason. Nearly the entire lineup is intact with the exception of forward P.J. Tucker, who left for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Bulls finished 2022 as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. They fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the first round. The Bulls won 27 of their first 38 games a year ago but struggled down the stretch. They also return most of their team from last season, however, they will be without Ball for the early part of the season.
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Here are our Bulls vs. Heat NBA picks for Wednesday (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Bulls vs. Heat Game Info
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: BS Sun, NBCS-CHI
Location: FTX Arena, Miami, FL
Bulls vs. Heat Odds
Bulls vs. Heat Odds Analysis
The Heat opened as 5.5-point favorites, and the spread has only moved in their favor since. Many sportsbooks now have the line at Heat -7. Most of the cash and tickets are coming in on the Heat to cover at 65% and 58%, respectively.
As for the total, the line opened at a consensus number of 216.5, and it has dropped to 216. The Over has received most of the action with 87% of the handle on 65% of the tickets, however, the line movement does not reflect that.
Bulls vs. Heat Picks
Bulls vs. Heat ATS Pick
Heat -7 (-110) ★★★
Everyone is all over the Heat. Could this mean that it’s time to start seriously considering the Bulls? Normally, the answer would be yes, but with the discrepancy in talent on the floor in their season opener, it’s really hard to envision the Bulls keeping this one close for a full 48 minutes.
The Heat are 4-0 against the spread in their last four matchups with the Bulls, and they won by more than 10 points in each of their last three meetings. The Bulls are already without Ball, and fellow guard Zach Lavine is a bit banged up heading into the season. To compete with one of the best teams in the East, you need all your pieces in place, and the Bulls simply do not have that on Wednesday.
Early season jitters are always a possibility, but this is a home game for a team that thinks it's the best in the East. Look for the Heat to pull away in the third quarter and never look back.
Check out our NBA best bets for Wednesday's slate.
Bulls vs. Heat O/U Pick
Under 216 (-110) ★★★
The last time these two teams met, the Heat won in Chicago by a final score of 127-109 on April 2. Prior to that game, it had been seven contests since a game between these two teams finished with a combined point total above 216.
Despite the overwhelming support for the Over from the betting public, the line is trending down at some major sportsbooks. Perhaps this is because the Heat allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league a season ago while scoring just the 17th-most.
The Bulls were definitely part of more high-scoring games, averaging 111.6 per game and allowing 112.0 per game. However, it will be the Heat who impose their will at home in this one, making the Under the smart play.
Bulls vs. Heat Prop Pick
Lowry Over 10.5 points (-115) ★★★
Heat point guard Kyle Lowry averaged 13.4 points per game last regular season, a significant decrease from his days with the Toronto Raptors, but still well above where oddsmakers expect him to be on Wednesday night. Last season, it took Lowry until his fifth game to finally score in double figures with the Heat, but he will have a prime opportunity against the Bulls in this year’s season-opener.
Against the Bulls last season, Lowry scored 19, 16, and 19 points in three meetings. In those three games, he was a combined 19-for-34 from the field. This all took place while he managed to dish out 30 assists. Lowry has a matchup he likes against the Bulls and their depleted backcourt, and even if he doesn’t hit his numbers from last season, he has plenty of wiggle room to clear this low line.
Where to Bet on Bulls vs. Heat Picks
Bulls-Heat picks made 10/19/2022 at 10:21 a.m. ET.
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