Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls NBA Pick
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Miami’ s Big Three are just one win away from claiming a spot to contest the NBA’s most valuable prize, and a win over the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night will seal the deal.
Date/Time: Thursday, May 26, 8:30 PM ET
Venue: United Center in Chicago, IL.
Broadcast: TNT
Money Line: Miami +130, Chicago -150
Spread: Chicago -3
Over/Under: 180
During the regular season, Chicago won all three contests against Miami, but each one of those games was decided in the last minute of play.
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It went down much the same way in Game 4 on Monday night.
Chicago led by eight with three minutes remaining in the third, but the Heat scored eight of the game’s next 10 points, and the first seven in the fourth, to take a 70-69 lead. Then after a see saw battle, Lebron James was called for an offensive foul with eight seconds left and the ball was turned over to Chicago. Derrick Rose’s face away jumper on the game’s final possession fell way short, forcing the game into overtime.
James finished the contest with 35 points, while Chris Bosh chipped in 22. But it was the Dwyane Wade show in the extra period, blocking two of four Chicago shots as the Heat topped the Bulls 101-93. Wade finished with a mediocre 17 points for the night as Miami moved to 5-0 all-time in playoff overtime games.
Rose led the Bulls with 23 points, while Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer contributed 20 apiece.
Chicago has lost three straight games for the first time this season, while Miami can wrap up their first finals trip since 2006.
Defense is the reason the Heat beat the Bulls in Game 4. A defense that forced the Bulls into turning the ball over on consecutive possessions late in overtime, one that Miami’s Wade promptly turned into a layup with 1:01 left for a 95-89 lead.
Things don’t look good for Chicago, as the Bulls are 0-5 all-time when down 1-3 in series, while the Heat are 4-0 in series all-time when up 3-1.
Teams up 3-1 in NBA best-of-seven series have gone on to win 192 of 200 previous such series with the Boston Celtics being the last team to come back from such a deficit in their Eastern Conference Finals series with Philadelphia back in 1981.
The odds makers have the Chicago Bulls as a -3 point favorite with an over/under of 180.
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Matt’s Free Prediction: Miami – If defense wins Championships, the Heat will advance to the Finals with an ugly but effective win on Thursday in the Windy City.
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Miami Heat Betting Trends:
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami’s last 6 games
- Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Miami is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
- Miami is 5-14 ATS in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago Bulls Betting Trends:
- Chicago is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games
- Chicago is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago’s last 9 games when playing at home against Miami
- Chicago is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Miami
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