Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat
American Airlines Arena – Miami, Florida
Thursday, April 19, 2012, 8:05 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Miami -5
Current Line: Miami -6
Opening Total: 182 1/2
Current Total: 183 1/2
Opening Money Line: Heat -215 / Bulls +185
Current Money Line: Heat -250 / Bulls +210
Last week in Chicago, the Bulls beat the Heat 96-86 in overtime to take a 4 game lead for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Heat have managed to claw back to within 2.5 games. The 47-15 Bulls coached by Tom Thibodeau can clinch the #1 seed in the East with a win tonight against the 44-17 Heat, coached by Eric Spoelstra. Miami can pull to within 1.5 games with a win. Miami will have four games to play after this game and Chicago will have three to play. Both teams have already clinched their respective divisions and will be the top 2 seeds in the East.
Chicago has won 4 of their last 5 games, including a 100-68 thrashing of lowly Charlotte last night. Miami has won 4 straight games since the loss at Chicago a week ago, including 96-72 at home over Toronto last night.
This is the fourth and last meeting between Chicago and Miami, but there is a good chance they will see each other again in the Eastern Conference Finals. Chicago leads the series 2-1 after last week’s win. The Heat won 97-93 January 29 in Miami, and Chicago won 106-102 March 12 in Chicago.
Chicago is outscoring opponents 97-89 this season. The Bulls are first in points allowed in the NBA. Chicago is shooting 45.1% from the field and 37.8% from 3 point range. The Bulls are in the top ten in the league in both categories. The Bulls make 72% of their free throws. Chicago leads the league in rebounding averaging 46.6 a game with a rebounding margin of +6.6. The Bulls average 23 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 7 steals, and 6 blocks a game. Chicago is 4th in the league in assists. Chicago opponents are shooting 42.3% from the field and 32.7% from 3 point range. The Bulls are in the top 5 in the league in all defensive categories. Chicago forces 13.4 turnovers a game.
Derrick Rose averages 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists a game. He leads the Bulls in scoring and assists. Rose has missed the last 2 games with a foot injury, and is questionable for tonight as well. Rose has missed 25 games this season with various injuries. The Bulls are 17-8 in games Rose has missed this season. Forward Luol Deng averages 15.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steal a game. He has missed the last two games with a rib injury and is a game time decision tonight. Forward Carlos Boozer averages 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal a game. Guard Richard Hamilton averages 12 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Back-up point guard C.J. Watson averages 10.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4 assists a game. He has been starting in place of Rose and will do so again if Rose can’t go because of the foot. Joakim Noah averages 10 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game. Noah leads the Bulls in rebounds and blocks. Ronnie Brewer leads the Bulls in steals with 1.1 a game.
Miami is outscoring opponents 100-93 this season. The Heat are #4 in scoring and #6 in points allowed. The Heat are shooting 47.5% from the field and 36.3% from 3 point range. Miami is first in field goal percentage and is #8 in 3 point percentage. The Heat are #9 in free throw percentage making 77.4% from the line. Miami averages 41.5 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +1.7. The Heat averages 20.4 assists, 14.8 turnovers, 9 steals, and 5.4 blocks a game. Miami opponents are shooting 43.3% from the field and 36.6% from 3 point range. The Heat are #5 in opponents’ field goal percentage but are #27 against the 3 point shot. Miami forces 16.8 turnovers a game.
Miami forward LeBron James averages 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.9 steals a game. He is third in the NBA in scoring, and leads the Heat in assists, rebounds, and steals. Dwayne Wade averages 22.6 points, 5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks a game to lead the team. He is probable with an ankle injury. Chris Bosh averages 18 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists a game. Point guard Mario Chalmers averages 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. Center Ronny Turiaf is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Miami is 30-31 ATS and the total is 25-34-2 this season. Chicago is 35-26-1 ATS and the total is 31-30-1 this season. The Bulls are 5-1 ATS in Southeast games, 11-3-1 in Thursday games, 20-8 as a road underdog, 9-4-1 against Eastern Conference teams, 20-9 in road games, 11-5-1 against teams with winning records, 13-6 as a road underdog of 5-10.5 points, 38-18 as an underdog, 1-4 after a straight up win, and 1-5 after scoring 100 points or more. The Heat are 5-1 ATS in Thursday games, 6-2 after allowing 75 points or less, 12-5 at home against teams with winning road records, 2-5 against teams with winning records, and after a straight up win of 10 points or more, 1-4 after a favorite of 5-10.5 points, and after a cover.
Chicago is trying to not only clinch the #1 seed in the East but to hold off the Spurs and Thunder for the best record in the league and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Miami has won 4 straight games, but aside from a win at New York, the Heat are beating up on the bottom feeders in the East. They need this win to show that they are truly a contender for the title. Miami wins a close game without Rose or Deng for the Bulls.
