The Heat Visit Rose and the Bulls – Miami at Chicago

Ultimately the problem when you rely on one superstar is that you can get in to ugly losing streaks. And that’s just what has happened to Miami as they rely far too heavily on one Dwyane Wade. While he is putting together an MVP type season, Wade shouldering the bulk of the load for Miami is starting to wear him down.

The opposite is happening in Chicago, a team that has suddenly found its groove in the past month. They’ve been crushing the spread, and winning games, bolstering hopes for the playoffs with a triumphant tandem of Gordon-Rose dismantling backcourts across the league. What will they have in store for Miami tonight, a team they have consistently struggled against?

NBA Betting Trends

-Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

-Miami is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road

-Miami is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Chicago

-Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago

-Chicago is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games

-Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

-Chicago is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home

-The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 7 games when playing at home against Miami

High scoring will be the mode de plume as these two Eastern Conference underdogs vying for playoff spots in the cluttered Eastern Conference. But you can’t bet against the Bulls at home right now. They’ve gone 8-1 ATS in their last 9 at home, and are getting a favorable betting line tonight from the BetOnline oddsmakers. Those of you that held true to the Chi-town Bulldozers are getting rewarded in a big way recently.

Miami’s only credible wins in the past five games have been against Detroit, and a Memphis team which is better than you might imagine. But with losses to Indiana, Jersey and the Celtics in hand, it’s hard to not wonder if Wade and the Heat peaked too soon and are thus running out of steam.

Miami Heat (38-33) vs. Chicago Bulls (34-38)

Thursday, March 26th — United Center, Chicago — 8:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Chicago -6 (202.5)

The line moved up an entire point since it opened in Vegas, lending credence to the idea that the Bulls are heavy, heavy favorites to cover in this one. Wade is a force of nature, but he’s a one-man army amidst a team of mediocre players who overachieve with the intangibles that Wade brings to the hardwood.

The Bulls are just the opposite, using a two-prong attack of Rose-Gordon to run the offense and open up scoring opportunities for the sharp-shooting Gordon. Unfortunately for Chicago, Luol Deng remains out of commission as he would’ve been the best player to commit to Wade tonight. Even then, that’s simply a reason to take the OVER, which has been the trend between these two. I don’t like the way Miami looks right now, despite my overwhelming belief that Wade is the true MVP of the season.

NBA Free Pick: Chicago -6 (OVER)