Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls Series Odds, Predictions and Free Picks – 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Betting

2011 NBA Eastern Conference Finals – Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview: The top two teams in the Eastern Conference have steamrolled their way through the first two rounds of the playoffs, and the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are now set to meet in a highly-anticipated conference final matchup. With league MVP Derrick Rose leading the way for Chicago and LeBron James and Dwyane Wade guiding Miami, there will be no shortage of star power in this series. The Heat have arguably been the most impressive team during the playoffs, but the Bulls won more games during the regular season than any team in the NBA. Given the credentials for both squads, it is easy to understand why this series is already being called the real NBA finals.

Chicago rolls into the matchup coming off easy wins against Indiana in the opening round and Atlanta in the semifinals. Miami has been just as impressive, cruising past Philadelphia in the first round and knocking off Boston in the semifinals. The Heat dispatched the defending Eastern Conference champion Celtics in just five games, which is the primary reason Miami is being looked at as the team to beat in this postseason. That being said, the Bulls were a perfect 3-0 against Miami during the regular season.

The strength of Miami is obvious. James, Wade and Chris Bosh are three of the top players in the NBA today, and James and Wade are both future Hall of Famers. The duo has been on a roll in the postseason, combining for just over 52 points per game, and both have been hitting the timely baskets that the Heat struggled with throughout the regular season. While the depth of the Heat is questionable at best and the team’s lack of a reliable option at point guard is worrisome, the fact remains that James and Wade alone give any team a chance to win a title.

For the Bulls, it has been Rose or bust in the postseason. Only Kevin Durant is scoring more points per game than Rose’s 28.8. While, Chicago’s MVP has been carrying the load on offense, the team is far from one dimensional. The Bulls have 10 players that receive significant minutes, and they use their length and depth to power one of the top defenses in the league. During the three regular season meetings between Miami and Chicago, the Bulls held the Heat to an average of just 90 points per game while outrebounding them by 10 a game.

Stopping Rose is going to be one of the keys to victory for Miami. Point guards Mario Chalmers and Mike Bibby don’t have what it takes to shut down a player as talented as Rose on a consistent basis, which could force Miami to have James guard Rose in crunch time. On the offensive end, the Heat’s chances at winning greatly improve if their perimeter bench players can hit some shots. If the Bulls have to dedicate extra attention to Miami’s 3-point shooters, Wade and James are going to drive to the basket at will.

The X-factors for Chicago are Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng. Outside of Rose, Boozer and Deng are the team’s two best offensive weapons. To this point, the production of both players has been hit or miss, particularly with Boozer. If the Bulls can establish a balanced attack on the offense end, rather than solely relying on Rose, the depth of Chicago will get a chance to wear down the Heat’s superstars.

These two teams finished with the two best records in the Eastern Conference for a reason. The Bulls have been great all year, and the Heat have been steadily getting better. However, Miami appears to be peaking at the right time, while Chicago has become progressively more one dimensional with Rose as the focal point. Rose deserved to be the MVP this year, but he can’t beat Wade and James if this series becomes a battle of superstars.

Momentum is in Miami’s corner as well after the team’s big win against the Celtics. Confidence was the only thing James and company lacked during the regular season, and all of a sudden they have a surplus of swagger. This team was built with a championship or bust attitude, and the Heat should be able to keep that dream alive with a hard fought win against the Bulls.

Prediction: Miami Heat Win in 7 Games

NBA Playoffs Series Odds
Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls
Miami Heat -190
Chicago Bulls +165