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Bulls, Heat clash in Miami Thursday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 4/9/2015  at  11:19:00 AM
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CHICAGO BULLS (46-32)

at MIAMI HEAT (35-43)

Tip-off: Thursday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -1.0, Total: 191.5

The Heat continue to fight for a spot in the postseason when they face the Bulls in Miami Thursday.

Chicago faced the Magic in Orlando on Wednesday and lost 105-103 as a 7-point road favorite. The Bulls have lost three of their past four games and have covered in just one of those four contests as well. They’ve turned the ball over 15+ times in three of their past four games and must be more careful with the ball moving forward. The Heat have not been much better though, beating the Hornets 105-100 as 6.5-point home favorites to end a four-game SU losing streak. They have still failed to cover in a single game in their past five outings. These teams have met twice this season and the home team has lost both SU and ATS in each game. Over the past three seasons, the Heat are 9-6 SU and 8-7 ATS when facing the Bulls. They are also 5-3 SU and 4-4 ATS when hosting the Bulls in that time. The Bulls, however, are 25-10 ATS when revenging a loss of 10 points or more versus an opponent over the past two seasons. Miami, meanwhile, is 17-6 ATS after failing to cover the spread in three or more consecutive games over the past three seasons. PG Derrick Rose (Rest) is questionable for this game after playing versus Orlando on Wednesday and the Heat are without PG Shabazz Napier (Hip), PF Chris Bosh (Blood Clot) and PF Josh McRoberts (Knee) for the season.

Can the Bulls beat a hungry Heat team in Miami Thursday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 60% ATS (206-139-4) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Brian who has a lofty 61% ATS (28-18-1) mark in Best Bets since Feb. 4, and is now 57% ATS (67-50-1) in season Best Bets. StatFox Gary has a strong 55% ATS (38-31-1) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and is 54% ATS (63-53-1) this season. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 60% ATS record (44-30-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 55% ATS (63-51-1) for the season. StatFox Zach is a scorching 65% ATS (45-24-1) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2 to sit at 53% ATS (61-54-2) for the season, while StatFox Dave is a robust 64% ATS (33-19) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28.

Chicago went into Orlando on Wednesday and the team was unable to pick up a road victory. PG Derrick Rose (18.2 PPG, 5.0 APG) was the story of the game as he returned from knee surgery to score nine points in 19 minutes of action. Rose did turn the ball over four times and must shake off the rust if he is back on the court Thursday. He’s going to need to get his game back or this team doesn’t stand much of a chance in the playoffs. SG Jimmy Butler (20.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 SPG) played well in the loss Wednesday, scoring 19 points (6-for-10 FG, 3-for-4 3PT) on some very efficient shooting. He also had six dimes, five rebounds and two steals in 37 minutes of action. He’ll need to do a solid job of defending Dwyane Wade in this game. PF Pau Gasol (18.5 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.9 BPG) has struggled against the Heat this season, averaging just 11.0 PPG on 34.5% shooting in their two meetings. He must do better in this one and should have no trouble doing that, as the Heat are very thin at the power forward spot. C Joakim Noah (7.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 BPG) has to protect the rim in this game. Hassan Whiteside is a force on both ends of the floor and Noah must keep up with him, despite playing on a knee that isn’t 100%.

The Heat are still fighting for their playoff lives and are in a must-win situation against the Bulls on Thursday. There is not a lot of time left in the season and every game is important from here on out. SG Dwyane Wade (21.5 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG) struggled in a victory over the Hornets Tuesday, scoring 19 points (6-for-17 FG) on some inefficient shooting and also turning the ball over seven times. He’ll need to be sharp with the ball on Thursday, but it could be tough going against Jimmy Butler. PG Goran Dragic (16.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG) had his best game in a Heat uniform on Tuesday, finishing with 28 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes of action. Derrick Rose will either be out of this game or playing at less than 100%, so Dragic will need to be aggressive going to the basket. SF Luol Deng (14.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG) was also on his game against Charlotte, finishing with 21 points and six boards in 41 minutes of action. Deng has been inconsistent this season, but he must find his game against Chicago with this team fighting for a spot in the playoffs. C Hassan Whiteside (11.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.5 BPG) had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 12 blocks in his only meeting with the Bulls this season. If he can play anything near as good as he did in that game then the Heat should like their chances in this one.


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