Heat vs. Bulls Prediction & Expert Picks Tonight: NBA Play-In Tournament Best Bets, Odds
The Miami Heat (37-45) will attempt to keep their playoff dreams alive when they clash with the Chicago Bulls (39-43) in tonight's NBA Play-In Tournament contest. Our Heat vs. Bulls prediction and expert picks anticipate the hosts getting the job done and earning the right to keep fighting for a spot in the postseason proper.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) from the United Center in Chicago. The latest NBA odds at our best sports betting sites list the Bulls as 1.5-point betting favorites to make it four consecutive victories against the Heat.
Read on for our NBA picks and be sure to check out our latest NBA Play-In Tournament predictions ahead of tipoff in the Eastern Conference contest.
📺 Game info & where to watch Heat vs. Bulls live tonight
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 16
🕗 Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
📍 Location: United Center (Chicago)
📺 TV: ESPN
💻 Streaming: ESPN+
💡 Heat vs. Bulls prediction & expert picks: NBA Play-In Tournament - Wednesday, April 16
🎯 Score prediction: Bulls 110, Heat 105
✅ Best bet: Under 219.5 (-110 via bet365)
*Deposit required. Mobile app only. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
📰 Heat vs. Bulls NBA preview & matchup analysis
Despite defeating the Heat in all three matchups this season, the Bulls are small home favorites in the East’s 9 vs. 10 game. Chicago won both of its home games by at least eight points, and it enters tonight's game on a three-game winning streak. One of those three wins was over the Heat.
It feels as though oddsmakers are laying a trap for bettors, but how can you confidently back the Heat when they haven’t been able to figure out the Bulls all season? Sure, they have more postseason experience, and Tyler Herro averaged 24.7 points per game against the Bulls this season, but everything else leans Chicago.
While I expect the Bulls to win, the total is a bit more interesting. All three games between these teams totaled at least 123 points, and the two games in Chicago each went for at least 130. The Bulls are averaging 117.8 points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA, while the Heat are averaging just 110.6 (24th).
Defense generally plays a larger factor in the NBA postseason, which could be great news for the Heat and their seventh-ranked scoring defense. If Miami shuts down the opponent's high-scoring offense, it could keep this game lower-scoring.
Even if the Heat do manage to muck it up, the Bulls have too much firepower, and at home, it’s hard not to like them against a team they’ve played well against all year.
👉 Check out our guide on how to bet on the NBA.
💰 Heat vs. Bulls picks & best bets
✅ Against the spread pick: Bulls -1 (-105 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Bulls (-115 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Under 219.5 (-110 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.
⛹️ Best Heat vs. Bulls NBA Play-In Tournament predictions
🔎 Our NEW NBA player prop odds tool can help you find the best NBA odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!
🔥 Bulls -1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Erik Spoelstra always seems to overachieve once he makes the postseason, so perhaps I’m making a mistake with this play. However, the Bulls’ offense has been great this season. Despite a lack of postseason experience, the trio of Josh Giddey, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White has had no trouble against the Heat this season.
Even if one of those players struggles tonight, it’s unlikely all three go ice cold at home. Miami's defense poses a serious threat, but even if this is a lower-scoring game than Chicago is used to playing, the Bulls' depth of scorers is more impressive, which will be the difference late in the game.
Best odds: -105 via DraftKings
🔥 Bulls moneyline ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you like the Bulls against the spread, you have to like them on the moneyline, as well. The spread is so tight, the best bet of this game is to simply take Chicago moneyline. This prevents a push or potential loss if the hosts win by just one point.
The price for this moneyline is either -115 or -120 at our best sports betting apps, so there isn’t much of a benefit to betting at one place over another. The majority of the betting public is backing the Heat, so it’s likely this line will continue to drop. There’s no reason to get cute with the spread - just bet the Bulls to win.
Best odds: -115 via BetMGM
🔥 Under 219.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Bulls are their most comfortable when they’re involved in high-scoring games, yet this is one trap I’m not falling for. Oddsmakers have set this total 3.5 points below the lowest-scoring game between these teams this season. This has led to over 50% of bettors backing the Over.
However, Miami has been one of the best defensive teams all season long, and it has already held the Bulls to 114 points once. Since these two teams met just a week ago, and the Heat gave up 119 points, Spoelstra will have plenty to work on with his team defensively to get ready for this game.
Those adjustments will allow the Heat to play this game the way they want to, even if they ultimately fall short in the end.
Best odds: -110 via bet365
🚀 Best Heat vs. Bulls parlay picks & SGP odds
🧪 Want to make your own SGP? Check out our NEW parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay.
🔮 Tonight's NBA Play-In Tournament expert picks
- NBA Play-In Tournament odds and predictions
- Heat vs. Bulls prediction
- Heat vs. Bulls player props
- Heat vs. Bulls parlay
- Mavericks vs. Kings prediction
- Mavericks vs. Kings player props
- Mavericks vs. Kings parlay
🔢 Best Heat vs. Bulls odds & betting lines
🛒 Shop around for the best Heat vs. Bulls odds from our best sports betting apps.
📡 Heat vs. Bulls live odds
🛜 Game already started? You can still get in on the action with our best live betting sites.
🪧 Heat vs. Bulls opening odds
Opening odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Heat +1.5 (-110) | Bulls -1.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Heat -105 | Bulls -115
- Over/Under: Over 218.5 (-110) | Under 218.5 (-110)
📊 Heat vs. Bulls stats: Records, trends & best odds for Wednesday
📈 For full team stats and betting line history, follow our Heat vs. Bulls matchup.
🚑 Heat vs. Bulls injury report
📋 For the latest injury news, check today's official NBA injury report.
🗳️ Who will win Heat vs. Bulls?
🏀 Best NBA betting sites
Looking to bet on the NBA today? Here are the best NBA betting sites as determined by our expert team at Sportsbook Review, along with the best sportsbook promos available for today's NBA games.
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related Articles
