The Miami Heat will look to take a 2-1 series lead tonight as they square off against the Bulls in Game 3 of their best of seven set. The latest 2013 NBA Playoff Picks are anticipating a win for LeBron James and company; the Heat are lined as a -7.5 against the spread and -330 moneyline favorite ($330 wins $100). This evening’s game is scheduled to tip off at 8:00pm ET at the United Center in Chicago; it will be broadcast live on ESPN.

 

The Bulls pulled off the unthinkable in Game 1, taking out an obviously rusty Heat squad 93-86 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in South Florida. Miami was not as kind to Chicago in Wednesday’s night Game 2 clash, though.

 

The Heat, looking much more like the defending champs they are, rolled the Bulls 115-78 to even the series at a game apiece.

 

Surprisingly, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade did not steal the spotlight as they tallied 19 and 15 points respectively. Rather, Miami’s bench punished Chicago, scoring 55 points to go along with 20 rebounds and four blocked shots. Ray Allen and Norris Cole were the biggest reserve forces; the duo combined for 39 points on 12-of-16 shooting (5-for-6 3PT, 10-for-10 FT).

 

The Bulls, who dominated the glass in Game 1 but were out-rebounded 41 to 28 on Wednesday, did not have a single player score more than 13 points as the Heat defense held them to 35.5 percent shooting.

 

Despite the series arrival in the Windy City, the odds makers and betting public are expecting another Miami runaway tonight. The Heat are a meager 1-3 in their last four games at the United Center, but with the Chicago still short handed (Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng are not expected to play tonight) LeBron and company should have their way.

 

Notable Trends: Miami is 9-1 straight up and 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games as a road favorite with a spread between 4 and 7.5 points.

 

 

Miami Heat -7.5 (-110), Over 187.5 (-110), -330 (Moneyline)

 

Chicago Bulls +7.5 (-110), Under 187.5 (-110), +270 (Moneyline)

 

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