On the eve of the real start of March Madness, the NBA delivers a match-up that will ensure fans switch back to the big boys once the nets are cut down in New Orleans. The Miami Heat travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls. This was the pairing in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals and Al Dannity says you’d be a fool to think it won’t be a re-match in 2012. He looks ahead to this evening’s battle of the East’s best.
A minor setback The Heat have enjoyed some insane runs this season already. There were plenty of flaws to find last year. Not so much in year two of Pat Reilly’s maniacal plot to turn South Beach into the center of the NBA universe. Actually that’s not so diabolical, if one town will rule them all it’s pleasant to know that at least this one has nice weather. Back to the point. Miami lost to the Magic last night but there was one massive qualifier. Dwight Howard went into that game knowing well it might have been his last stand in an Orlando uniform. The man has been forced to watch his team’s near neighbors get rich with talent while he carried a franchise. If there was a time to bring it, last night was it. I heavily advise against considering last night’s game in making NBA betting decisions tonight.
Here’s the thing about Chicago The Bulls are in a tough spot. If they don’t hold home court against Miami in a regular season game, bettors aren’t going to believe they can get it done in the playoffs. If they rise up and beat the Heat, an awful lot of people are going to warn against over-hyping a regular season win. That leaves the Bulls with far more to lose tonight than Miami. Psychologically it’s far more important for the Bulls to keep winning in bunches than the Heat. They have a fan base that believes in them but to get that self-belief, they need to know they can go to that extra level whenever they want, not just every now and then.
The verdict There has been a good deal of movement on the line today. When odds first went live the Bulls were -3.5 favorites. They have come in to -1.5 which is a far more reasonable number for this match-up. Like I said, this is an awkward situation for Chicago whatever happens. When that’s the case, the players know there’s only one answer. Just win baby. I like the Bulls to top the Heat tonight.
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