Suffice it to say that Chicago pulled victory from the dinosaur jaws of defeat in Toronto on Wednesday. In contrast, the Heat need to pick up the slack. This is their second chance to reach the postseason following a dismal performance against Atlanta on Tuesday.

Vegas has Miami as -5.5 favourites on the NBA odds, most likely because they’re at home and have more playoff experience. The total is set at 208.5.

Bulls vs. Heat NBA Betting Odds

The Heat’s status as favourites may raise eyebrows given that Chicago swept the regular season series 3-0. One contest was decided by only eight points, but the other two by over ten points. The Bulls greatly nullified Miami’s already mediocre offence in the trio of tilts. Erik Spoelstra’s men couldn’t muster more than 108 in any and scored less than 100 in one.

Chicago isn’t a stranger to the postseason. They made it to the first round last year when they were bulldozed by the Milwaukee Bucs 4-1. After surprising the favourites in Game 1, Giannis and company tamed the Bulls with ease. Single games can be terrifyingly unpredictable, as evidenced by the Bulls’ wins over Memphis a few weeks ago and the elimination of the Raps in the first play-in game.

The strangest element to Miami’s performance against the Hawks was that they came into the play-in tournament with a decent amount of momentum. They captured four of their five remaining regular season opponents, including a brilliant victory in Philadelphia against the 76ers. They had also largely dominated the season series with Atlanta. It was only a year ago that the Heat played Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, so it’s not like they can’t pull this off.

Chicago Bulls

Perhaps it was unfair to be so convinced Toronto would win. Playoff games – or whatever the play-in is – favour clubs playing in front of their fans. Toronto also clung to some 2019 championship magic.

The truth of the matter is that both squads were streaky all season. Look no further than Chicago’s 40-42 record and Toronto’s 41-41 win-loss tally. It was therefore fitting that the contest itself would play out in such a matter. The host Raps looked fantastic for 24 minutes. They were up 58-47 at the break, thanks to a Hail Mary Fred VanVleet three as the buzzer rang. The lead ballooned to 19 at one point, but Zach LaVine and former Raptor DeMar DeRozan would not go down. DeRozan reminded Toronto fans of the dunks he used to impress them with and LaVine went out of his mind 39 points. Jumpers, three-point shots, free throws, it didn’t matter. Speaking of free throws, Toronto was an abysmal 18-for-36. An unforgivable stat and Toronto was justifiably left unforgiven, as the Bulls won 109-105.

Miami Heat

While it might be a stretch to describe the Heat’s performance against the Hawks in the first play-in game as “unforgivable,” it certainly wasn’t good enough to win. At least they have a second crack at the play-in can.

The worst part was that they finished the regular season with a stellar 27-14 home-court record, whereas the Hawks were a pedestrian 17-24 away from Georgia. The only lead Miami held was after they scored the opening bucket of the game to make it 2-0. Atlanta took what it wanted in the paint, outscoring the hosts 64-46 on the night. Rebounding was disastrous as well, with the Hawks winning that battle by a whopping 63-39. It was the ultimate team effort by Atlanta. Trae Young wasn’t all that special (25 points, 1-for-8 from distance) but Dejounte Murray, (18 points)  Saddiq Bey (17 points) and three more players reached at least 10 points. Kyle Lowry (33 points) kept giving fans hope, but it wasn’t enough. Heat cool off, 116-105.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bulls vs. Heat?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Bulls Team Leaders

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 24.84
Assists	DeMar DeRozan 5.09
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 11.01
FG%	Terry Taylor 90
Steals	Alex Caruso 1.46
Blocks	Patrick Williams 0.85

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 22.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.31
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.17
FG%	Cody Zeller 62.7
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.83
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.81

CHI

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 26.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.86
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.87
FG%	Haywood Highsmith 61.5
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.82
Blocks	Tyler Herro 1

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Heat Team Leaders

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 24.84
Assists	DeMar DeRozan 5.09
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 11.01
FG%	Terry Taylor 90
Steals	Alex Caruso 1.46
Blocks	Patrick Williams 0.85

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 22.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.31
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.17
FG%	Cody Zeller 62.7
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.83
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.81

CHI

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 26.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.86
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.87
FG%	Haywood Highsmith 61.5
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.82
Blocks	Tyler Herro 1

Injuries

Chicago

Zach LaVine (PG)

Prob Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 07 / 04 / 23

Zach LaVine (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 06 / 04 / 23

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Fri Foot - 05 / 04 / 23

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Tues Foot - 03 / 04 / 23

Javonte Green (SG)

Prob Tues Knee - 03 / 04 / 23

Alex Caruso (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 01 / 04 / 23

Alex Caruso (SG)

Ques Fri Foot - 30 / 03 / 23

Javonte Green (SG)

Prob Sun Knee - 30 / 03 / 23

Andre Drummond (C)

Prob Fri Personal - 29 / 03 / 23

Miami

Cody Zeller (PF)

Prob Wed Foot - 06 / 06 / 23

Caleb Martin (SF)

Prob Sun Illness - 03 / 06 / 23

Cody Zeller (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 06 / 23

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Ques Mon Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Tues Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23

Omer Yurtseven (C)

Ques Fri Nose - 18 / 05 / 23

Cody Zeller (PF)

Prob Wed Illness - 15 / 05 / 23

Jimmy Butler (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23

Haywood Highsmith (SF)

Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 05 / 23

Injuries

Chicago

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Zach LaVine (PG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	2-1	1-2	+ -
Lavine is managing a left knee injury, but it is predicted that he will hit the court Sunday against the Pistons.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 07 / 04 / 23	2-1	1-2	+ -
Beverley will not dress for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will be handed a day of rest.
Zach LaVine (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 06 / 04 / 23	2-1	1-2	+ -
LaVine will not take the court for Friday's matchup versus the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Fri	Foot - 05 / 04 / 23	2-2	1-2-1	+ -
Caruso was held out of the last game with left midfoot soreness, but it is expected that he will lace up for Friday's battle with the Mavericks.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Tues	Foot - 03 / 04 / 23	3-2	2-2-1	+ -
Caruso is nursing left midfoot soreness, but it is not predicted to impact his status against the Hawks on Tuesday.
Javonte Green (SG)	Prob Tues	Knee - 03 / 04 / 23	3-2	2-2-1	+ -
Green is recovering from right knee surgery, but he is forecasted to be available for Tuesday's battle with the Hawks.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 01 / 04 / 23	4-2	2-3-1	+ -
Caruso is nursing left midfoot soreness, but it is not expected to impact his status versus the Grizzlies on Sunday.
Alex Caruso (SG)	Ques Fri	Foot - 30 / 03 / 23	4-3	3-3-1	+ -
Caruso has left midfoot soreness, and it is unknown if he will face the Hornets on Friday.
Javonte Green (SG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 30 / 03 / 23	4-3	3-3-1	+ -
Green missed the previous contest with a right knee injury, but it is predicted that he will dress for Sunday's showdown against the Grizzlies.
Andre Drummond (C)	Prob Fri	Personal - 29 / 03 / 23	4-4	4-3-1	+ -
Drummond was absent from the last game due to a personal matter, but he is expected to be available for Friday's clash with the Hornets.

Miami

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cody Zeller (PF)	Prob Wed	Foot - 06 / 06 / 23	1-2	1-2	+ -
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Caleb Martin (SF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 03 / 06 / 23	1-3	1-3	+ -
Martin is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 2 for the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Cody Zeller (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 03 / 06 / 23	1-3	1-3	+ -
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA finals.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Ques Mon	Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23	3-4	1-6	+ -
Vincent is nursing a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Ques Sat	Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23	4-5	2-7	+ -
Vincent is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23	5-5	3-7	+ -
Love is nursing an ankle injury, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Omer Yurtseven (C)	Ques Fri	Nose - 18 / 05 / 23	6-6	4-8	+ -
Yurtseven is tending to a nasal contusion, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Cody Zeller (PF)	Prob Wed	Illness - 15 / 05 / 23	6-6	4-8	+ -
Zeller is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23	6-7	5-8	+ -
Butler is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is still expected to be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Knicks.
Haywood Highsmith (SF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 11 / 05 / 23	6-7	5-8	+ -
Highsmith has tendinitis in his left knee, but it is not projected to affect his status ahead of the matchup against the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.