The Miami Heat (20-17) look to bounce back from their worst loss of the season with a trip to the Windy City tonight.
The Timberwolves stomped the Heat, 122-94 on Tuesday, sending Miami to its second loss in the last three games after a four-game winning streak.
The Chicago Bulls (17-20) sit 11 games behind the Pistons in the Central Division following a 108-93 defeat in Detroit on Wednesday. Chicago’s last three defeats were by double-digits, while getting limited to less than 101 points in each setback.
In Miami’s last trip to Chicago on November 21, the Heat torched the Bulls, 143-107. Miami knocked down 35 free throws and had eight players reach double-figure scoring.
The Bulls continue to play without G Josh Giddey, who is tied for the team scoring lead at 19.2 points per game (PPG). Giddey is sidelined until late January due to a hamstring strain.
Heat F Jaime Jaquez, Jr. is a game-time decision after missing the last two games with a sprained ankle.
Let’s look at the Heat vs. Bulls prediction for Thursday night’s matchup at United Center, tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
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Heat vs. Bulls Prediction on Spread
The Heat are 21-16 against the spread, compared to a 17-19-1 mark against the number for Chicago.
Heat vs. Bulls Over/Under, Spread
The Heat enter this matchup as 6.5-point favorites, returning a 1.38x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Bulls are home underdogs with a 2.85x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Miami Heat -6.5
- Over/Under: 238.5
- Game Winner Payout: Heat 1.38x | Bulls 2.85x
(Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change)
Heat vs. Bulls Numbers to Know
Here are some facts and figures to get you set for Heat vs. Bulls tonight, including insights on our Heat vs. Bulls prediction.
- Prior to their 94-point clunker against Minnesota, the Heat averaged 128.8 PPG in the following six contests.
- The Heat were held to less than 100 points for the third time this season. After the previous two instances, Miami bounced back with a pair of double-digit victories.
- Since blowing out the Bulls in late November, the Heat are 4-6 in their past 10 road contests.
- The Bulls own an impressive 7-2 ATS home underdog mark, including five outright wins.
- Chicago has cooled off since a 7-2-1 ATS start, posting a 10-17-1 record against the number in the past 28 outings.
Heat vs. Bulls NBA Player Picks
Here are three top Heat vs. Bulls picks to target on Thursday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by three players: Heat G Norman Powell, Bulls F Matas Buzelis, and Miami C Kel’el Ware.
Heat G Norman Powell vs. Bulls Projection: 22.5 Points
- Powell continues his torrid scoring pace, averaging a career-high 24.3 PPG.
- The former UCLA Bruin managed 21 points in Tuesday’s defeat at Minnesota, one of three players to score in double-figures.
- The 2015 second round pick was held to 19 points in the first matchup at Chicago on 6-of-14 shooting.
- In four January contests, the 32-year old is a scorching 21-of-38 from downtown. The Bulls rank 21st in opposing 3-point field goal percentage at 36.7%.
- Since Christmas, Powell has eclipsed this projection in five of the last seven games.
Bulls F Matas Buzelis vs. Heat Projection: 17.5 Points
- The 2024 first round pick exploded when the calendar flipped to 2026, averaging 21.0 PPG in four January contests.
- Buzelis shot 9-of-12 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from long range for 26 points in Monday’s defeat at Boston.
- Since Giddey’s injury on December 29, the Chicago area native has put up 20.6 PPG in the past five games, the most of any Bull.
- In the first matchup with Miami, the 21-year old was held to 6 points.
- Last season, Buzelis compiled the best shooting game of his career against the Heat, going 10-of-10 from the field and scoring 24 points in a 133-124 home triumph.
Heat C Kel’el Ware vs. Bulls Projection: 19.5 Pts+Rebs
- The former Indiana standout averages a double-double, racking up 12.3 PPG and 10.6 rebounds per game (RPG).
- Ware has recorded one double-double in the last six games, a 16-point, 12-rebound effort in Sunday’s home rout of New Orleans.
- Since scoring 16 points in a win at Atlanta on December 26, Ware has been limited to 11 points in the past two road games at Detroit and Minnesota.
- The 21-year old battered the Bulls in the first meeting, scoring 20 points and snatching 14 rebounds.
- Ware averages more on the road (13.8 PPG) than at home (10.9), while his FG%, 3-PT%, and FT% are all higher away from Miami.
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The Heat and Bulls both look to get on track after losses in their previous games. Can Chicago avenge the blowout defeat to Miami from earlier this season?
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