Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat Play-in Tournament Predictions, Odds, Bets & Stats – 04/16/2025

Basketball / NBA

17/04/2025 – 00:00

Chicago Bulls

VS

Miami Heat

Odds updated on April 13, 2025 at 12:55 pm

On Wednesday, 04/16, the Chicago Bulls (38-43) will host the Miami Heat (37-45) in the elimination round of the Play-in tournament. The Bulls finished ninth in the East, while the Heat were at the tenth spot.. Which team will save their season in arguably their season’s most important game? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.

• Time: TBD 
• Venue: United Center (Chicago, Illinois)
• Where to watch: This game can be viewed on the NBA League Pass.

Can the defensive-oriented Heat silence the high-scoring Bulls?

The Bulls swept the season series against the Heat, winning all the games by a 5-9 points margin. Thus, they will enter the game with a lot of confidence. Chicago turned their season around in the second week of March, winning around 70% of their games. In that period, they defeated elite teams 

During the last 15 games, they rained in 122.7 points per game (2nd). Coby White and Josh Giddey supplied brilliant offense in the backcourt, which defines the Bulls’ effort. Giddey also enhances the play of those around him, a huge reason behind the Bulls’ production uptick.

On the other hand, the Heat improved their scoring during the late-season situation. They scored 110.5 PPG(16th) for the season but sprang to 114.6 PPG(15th) in the last 15 games. This improvement is huge, considering the team’s already solid defense. The Heat is among only 7 teams to concede fewer than 110, forming the backbone of their effort.

Overall, the Bulls will be confident in clutch situations because the Heat has often whittled in late-game situations, as most of their recent losses have been within five minutes. Giddey and White have been clutch, but Heat has choked in the moments that matter. Perhaps that thin line can decide the outcome here.

Bulls Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Coby White | SG: Josh Giddey | SF: Kevin Huerter | PF: Matas Buzelis | C: Nikola Vucevic

Key Injuries/Updates: Ayo Dosunmu is OUT for the season.

Heat Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Tyler Herro | SG: Alec Burks | SF: Andrew Wiggins | PF/C: Bam Adebayo | C: Kel’el Ware

Key Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report

The three games between the teams fetched 257, 223, and 230 points. Thus, the scoring has been mostly in the Bulls’ alley. The Heat wouldn’t prefer shootout scenarios, whereas the Bulls will be gunning nonstop. However, I expect the experienced Miami team to switch on the intensity button on the defensive end, which can limit the score below 220 here for the first time between these teams during the season.,

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Coby White to be limited under 20.5 points: The isolation expert has been on a tear since LaVIne has been traded from the Bulls. He has accumulated over 26 PPG since March, averaging 28 PPG against the Heat this season. But I expect Miami to pin him down below 20.

Josh Giddey to pin down over 10.5 rebounds: The Bulls’ all-around star has clamped down around 10 RPG since March, tallying 10.3 RPG against the Heat this season. I expect him to continue the trend.

Bam Adebayo to score over 24.5 points: The Heat center has accumulated around 21 PPG since February. He touched the 21 PPG against the Bulls this season, and I expect him to go 5-6 points beyond his season average against them. 

Kel’el Ware to hoard over 10.5 rebounds: Ware has stacked up over 10 boards per game in the recent windows. He had a 10.3 RPG average against the Bulls this season. I expect him to go way beyond that mark.

The Bulls are offensive juggernauts, and Giddey, as their Floor General, has elevated the scene. The Heat doesn’t have a playmaker like that but relies more upon individual heroics. They are outmatched on the backcourt, but they have a frontcourt advantage. I know the odds are in favor of Chicago. They are at home, they have played miles better than Miami in recent weeks, and their offense is second to none among all play-in teams.

However, I see Herro, Wiggins, and Adebayo using all their experience to script an upset and save their season. I believe this will be a close encounter, but the Heat will win it marginally.

Safe Spread Pick:  Bulls -1.5 for -110 at BetMGM (Will be updated once full odds are out)

Photo Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images