Free NBA Picks and Odds: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat on ABC Expert Predictions – NBA Betting Preview 3/6/11: Top MVP candidate Derrick Rose will lead the Chicago Bulls on the road to American Airlines Arena to take on 2 time reigning MVP LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET on ABC Sports. The Bulls enter the contest winning 4 of 5 including a win over the Heat at home to get to 42-18 – good for 1st in the Central – and a virtual tie with the Heat for 2nd in the East while Miami has lost 3 straight and come in at 43-19 – 1st in the Southeast – and 3 games behind Boston in the Eastern Conference along with the Bulls.
“We’re still a confident bunch,” said LeBron James, 2 for 15 from 3-point range in the last five games. “We know it’s a tough stretch for us right now. We lost three games in a row, but I feel like all it takes is one win.” The road doesn’t get easier any time soon as the Heats next 8 games are all against teams that are over .500. “We got to make a stand on Sunday against a team that is gaining confidence,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. The odds makers at Bodog have the Miami Heat a -5 point favorite at home against the Chicago Bulls.
The Heat are coming off a 125-95 blowout loss on the road against the NBA leading San Antonio Spurs moving them to 28-33-1 ATS. James led the Heat with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists while Dwayne Wade only scored 19 points with 3 boards and one dime. Chris Bosh was the only other starter in double figures with 17 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago and is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games at home. Vegas odds makers have the Miami Heat +120 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Bulls are coming off a big win 89-81 on the road over the Orlando Magic and are at an impressive 37-22-1 ATS for the season. Rose showed why he could be MVP with 24 points as well as grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing 4 assists. Forward Luol Deng chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds along with Carlos Boozer scoring 12 points and grabbing 9 boards. The total has gone UNDER in 9 of last 12 games when playing Miami. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 188 points combined of the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls.
MATCHUP: Chicago (42-18) at Miami (43-19)
GAME TIME: 1:05 PM EST
TELEVISION: ABC
Recent Bulls and Heat NBA Betting Odds Trends:
Chicago: CHI are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
CHI are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 Sun. games.
Miami: Over is 8-2 in MIA last 10 vs. NBA Central.
MIA are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Sun. games.
Head to Head: Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Opening Vegas Odds from Las Vegas
Favorite: Miami -5
Total: O/U 187.5
* These are the Morning Lines at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas
Rich Fritz’s Bulls and Heat Free NBA Picks 3/6:
Play Miami -5
Bet it at BoDog Sportsbook
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