NBA Picks: Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat

Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat
Sunday, 1/29/12, 3:30 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Miami -5
Current Betting Line: Miami -4.5
Opening Total: 193.5
Current Total: 189
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Chicago Bulls are underdogs for the first time this season in taking on the Miami Heat Sunday afternoon

Chicago won all three regular-season games with the Miami Heat by a combined eight points during the 2010-11 campaign, but dropped the Eastern Conference finals series in five games. “The hype is going to be crazy for this game,” commented Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. “You just can’t buy into it.” He is averaging 21.9 points and 7.9 assists per game, coming off a season-high 34 points versus the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Chicago is 10-7 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons, while the “under” is 10-6 in that situation.

The Bulls are 8-3 overall on the road this season, including a 4-1 mark when taking on Eastern Conference rivals. Rose was certainly at his best in the three regular-season meetings with the Heat a year ago, averaging a team-high 29.0 points per game. Chicago averaged 93.0 points per game in those three contests, while holding Miami to 90.3 points a game. This afternoon’s game begins a nine-game road trip for the franchise, as it’s off to its third-best start in history through 21 games.

Miami has finally gotten healthy and its shown on the court in winning six of seven games, but bettors should be wary with the squad posting a 3-4 ATS record in that span. The Heat are coming off a 99-89 win over the New York Knicks as 12-point home favorites on Friday night, going “under” the total in three of their past four games. “We hope the fans are excited about the game,” commented Heat forward LeBron James. Miami is 13-12 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Heat were very happy with guard Dwyane Wade’s performance Friday night after missing six games with a sprained ankle, as he scored 28 points and dished out four assists in 33 minutes. “It’s a nice welcome back for that young kid, number three,” commented Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. Miami is 37-47 all-time versus Chicago in the overall series, including a 23-19 mark in games played in South Beach.