The Chicago
Bulls face a tall order tonight as they look to avoid playoff elimination at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami. This evening’s Game 5 meeting between the Bulls and
Heat is scheduled to tip off at 7:00pm ET on TNT.
2013 NBA Playoff Picks have LeBron James and company listed as a huge -14.5 against the spread home favorite; the Over/Under is set at 182 points. The Bulls are drawing +1400 odds ($100 wins $1400) to force a Game 6 in Chicago on Friday.
The Bulls offense has been its biggest issue all season long and it has been its downfall in their best of seven series with the Heat. Chicago snagged a stunning Game 1 victory, taking advantage of a rusty Miami squad, but even in doing so they scored just 93 and shot 43.7 percent from the field.
Since shocking the Heat last Monday, the Bulls have tallied a grand total of 237 points in three games (79 points per game) while connecting on 81 of their 227 field goal attempts (35.6 percent).
With Chicago still banged up (Kirk Hinrich questionable, Luol Deng doubtful) and lacking offensive weapons (
Derrick Rose is cleared to play but has not played in the postseason), it is difficult to imagine the team finding another win or even a close result in this series.
The Heat are no doubt anxious to end things tonight, thus avoiding another trip to the Windy City on Friday. The Bulls have plenty of heart and their pride will prevent them from quitting, but they, quite simply, do not have enough talent to prevent Miami from doing what it wants to do.
Notable Trends: The Under is 5-1 in the Heat’s last six games as a home favorite with a spread between 14 and 17.5 points (Miami was 6-0 straight up and 1-5 against the spread in those six games).
2013 NBA Playoff Picks Bulls vs Heat Game 5:
Chicago Bulls +14.5 (-110), Over 182 (-110), +1400 (Moneyline)
Miami Heat -14.5 (-110), Under 182 (-110), -2500 (Moneyline)
NBA Free Picks: Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City ThunderWhat pro basketball bettors need to know about Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday (5/15/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik with Vegas Runner with Bryan Leonard.