Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (12/20/22)

The Chicago Bulls visit the Miami Heat after losing four straight games, the latest being to the Dallas Mavericks. The Miami Heat, on the other hand, have won four in a row, with the latest being against the San Antonio Spurs. This should be an interesting matchup because these two teams have been on streaks going in the opposite directions. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat Betting Odds

The Miami Heat are 5.5-point home favorites against the Chicago Bulls and are at -215 on the money line. The over/under is also at 224.5. The Miami Heat being favored here makes sense because of how each team has looked in their last four games, even with some of the injuries Miami is dealing with. The over/under makes sense too because the Heat are very good on defense and they’ll have an upper-hand at home because of that. This spread could move a bit depending on some injury news for the Heat.

Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat Prediction

The pick: Bulls +5.5

The Chicago Bulls have been struggling recently and have dropped four straight games. They do still have talent, even with Lonzo Ball being out. DeMar DeRozan is their best player and is the Bulls’ leading scorer and and leads the team in assists. Zach LaVine has stepped up big time and could be an all-star this year. Nikola Vucevic has also been having a great year and averages a double-double per game for the year. As a team, the Chicago Bulls are 7th in the NBA in field goal percentage at 48.1%. The Miami Heat have three different players averaging over 20 points and each of those players have taken turns dominating games for the Heat. Jimmy Butler is the Heat’s leading scorer and is their main leader overall as a team. Bam Adebayo might be the most talented player the Heat have on their roster and he’s almost unstoppable down low. He is also the team’s leading rebounder. The biggest key for Miami this year is Tyler Herro, who’s just been a big spark plug for the Heat off the bench, but is starting this year now and thriving in that role. As a team, the Heat are the 5th best defensive team in the NBA allowing 109 points a game. This is a big contrast in styles game because of how defensive-minded the Heat are compared to how offensive-minded the Bulls are. Even though the game is in Miami, take the Bulls to keep this game close because of some of the injuries the Heat are dealing with, mainly, Kyle Lowry.

Betting Trends

Bulls are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.

Heat are 3-14-1 ATS in their last 18 home games.

Key Matchups

Can Tyler Herro go toe-to-toe with Zach LaVine? Can Jimmy Butler go toe-to-toe with DeMar DeRozan?

Tyler Herro vs. Zach LaVine

Tyler Herro’s emergence could go against Zach LaVine pretty well. For his career, Zach LaVine averages 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 46% from the field overall, and 38% from three-point range. For his career, Tyler Herro averages 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 44% from the field and 39% from three-point range With the season Herro is having, this should be a big test for him because LaVine’s been very good for the Bulls and this matchup should have a huge factor in who wins.

Jimmy Butler vs. DeMar DeRozan

This is a battle of these two teams’ best players. For his career, Jimmy Butler averages 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 46% from the field, and 32% from three-point range. For his career, DeMar DeRozan averages 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 47% from the field, and 29% from three-point range. Butler is the better defender than DeRozan, but DeRozan is more efficient offensively. These are the two best players for each team and should have the biggest impact on who ends up winning on each side.

Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup

PG: Alex Caruso
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Patrick Williams
C: Nikola Vucevic

Miami Heat Starting Lineups

PG: Max Strus
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Nikola Jovic
C: Bam Adebayo

Key Injuries

Chicago Bulls Injuries: PG Lonzo Ball (Knee) O, PF Javonte Green (Knee) O

Miami Heat Injuries: PG Kyle Lowry (Knee) Q, PF Caleb Martin (Ankle) Q