Sunday afternoon in the NBA we will see a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals when the Chicago Bulls invade South Beach to take on the Miami Heat. The Game is scheduled for a 3:30 PM tipoff and will be televised live on ABC. Currently Miami is favored by 4.5 points with the total being set at 191.5 for the game  

Free Analysis: Of all the playoff rematches on this season’s NBA schedule, there is none more anticipated than the Chicago Bulls versus the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat was deemed an instant contender when they landed the biggest prizes of the 2010 NBA offseason. The Chicago Bulls were merely discussed as a team that made improvements, but were still a long way from being legitimate challengers for the NBA crown. No one predicted that these two teams would be meeting each other in the Eastern Conference Finals with Chicago having both the top seed and best record in the league.  It's the first meeting between the NBA powerhouses since last season's Eastern Conference final, won by the Heat in five decisive games. The Bulls come into this one with the best record in the East, and already own a 3 1/2-game lead in the Central Division while they are an impressive 8-3 on the road. That road record will be put to the test as today marks the kickoff of a marathon nine-game road trip for the Bulls, who won't play again at the United Center until Feb. 14. Chicago is coming off a 107-100 triumph over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks behind a season-high 34 points from reigning MVP Derrick Rose. The Bulls are a very balanced team on offense as 8 player have averaged 7.4 ppg or more. Rose (21.9 ppg) leads a group of 4 players that average in DD, with Luol Deng (15.9 ppg), Carlos Boozer 15.2 ppg) and Richard Hamilton (14.5 ppg) also joining him. The problem for the Bulls today will be the loss of Deng, as not only is he their 2nd leading scorer, but he also is their 2md leading rebounder (7.5) behind Boozer (8.6). The Bulls come in ranked 11th in scoring (97 ppg) and 2nd in points allowed (87 ppg). Miami’s strong reliance on their superstar trio has served them well enough to give them a 13-5 record, putting them in second place behind Chicago who stands at 16-4. It must be noted, though, that the Heat have struggled against some of the more cohesive teams in the league. Losses to the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawksand Denver Nuggets are evidence that teams with deep rosters can give them trouble. The Bulls are such a team. The Heat had 15 players available to choose from when setting a lineup Friday, the first time that's happened this season. Wade returned from a two-week absence because of a sprained right ankle to score 28 points in Miami's 99-89 win over the New York Knicks, adding five steals, four assists and two blocks. Wade, a Chicago native, averages 22.2 points in 26 career games against the Bulls. Versus the Knicks James finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, already the fourth time this season he's had that stat line or better. James, the former two-time MVP, added 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Heat, who have won three in a row and six of their last seven games overall. Chris Bosh scored 13 and had nine boards for Miami, which is 8-2 in South Florida. The Heat come in ranked 2ns in scoring offense (104.2 ppg), but just 23rd in scoring defense (96.4 ppg). Lebron is the team leader in Points scored (29.2 ppg) FG% (54.9%), Steals (1.9) and Assists per game (7.1), while he is ssecond in rebounding (8.0). Miami Dropped all 3 regular season meetings with the Bulls last year.  

Free Pick: Not really worrying about the Bulls scoring points as they just have a lot of depth to do that with, but without Deng they will lose a defensive presence and that should allow the Heat to get plenty of points of their own. The Heat are 2nd in then league in scoring as they come in averaging  104.2 ppg overall and 105.8 ppg at home. Wade looked excellent vs the Knicks and with him healthy that just gives them one more weapon. The Heat really look to push the ball at home and will look to to that here vs a Bulls team that haas been weakened a bit at the defensive end with the loss of Deng. Miam also shoots 50.4 % at home and 43.9% from long range, whyile the bulls have allowed teams to shoot for 44.8% overall and 39.8% from long range. The Bulls have averaged 99.1 ppg on the road this year and if Miami pushes the tempo like I expect they will then the Bulls are more than capable of hitting at least 95 points in this one, while Miami should be good for no less than 97 on their home floor here. This one may hit 200, so go with the Over.

Free Picks: Bulls at Heat Betting
http://PregameVideos.com - Playoff revenge for Bulls and Bad scheduling spot for Heat plus other factors NBA bettors need to know about Bulls at Heat (Sunday, January 29, 2012) from Pregame.com - Including predictions from Vegas Runner and analysis from host Marco D'Angelo.