Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat Betting Pick & Prediction 12/16/23

The Bulls and Heat are set to face off at 8:00 ET on NBCS. The Heat will host the game at Kaseya Center in Miami, FL. The over/under for this Eastern conference contest is set at 217.5 points, with the Heat being the favored team playing at home against the Bulls.

CHICAGO BULLS VS MIAMI HEAT BETTING PICK

The Pick: Chicago Bulls +4.5

This game will be played at Kaseya Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, December 16th.

WHY BET THE CHICAGO BULLS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 113-111 in favor of the Heat.
• Our projections have Jimmy Butler finishing with Jimmy Butler points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
• From the field, we have the Heat finishing with a field goal percentage of 50.6% and knocking down 14 threes.

Are the Bulls Ready for a Win at Miami?

In their last three games, the Bulls are 1-2 and overall this season they are 10-16. When playing Eastern Conference teams, the Bulls are 7-10 and they are 3-6 in non-conference games.

Chicago comes in with an overall ATS record of 12-14 so far this season. Chicago has covered the spread in three consecutive road games, while maintaining an ATS record of 5-7 on the road as opposed to 7-7 at home.

Chicago’s offense is coming off a good game, putting up 124 points vs. the Heat. Overall, they hit 48.4% of their shots from the field and went 20/30 from the free-throw line. In terms of offense, the Bulls have a season-long field goal percentage of 44%, putting them 28th in the NBA. Regarding three-pointers, they are ranked 16th in percentage and 19th in three-pointers made.

For the season, Chicago is sitting 12th in terms of points allowed per game (113.5). It is worth noting they have given up a fewer number of points in two straight games.

When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Bulls squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 55.4% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 37.7% from downtown.

Can the Heat Please their Home Crowd?

Coming into today’s game vs. the Bulls, the Heat are 14-11 overall and have a record above .500. When playing on the road, the Heat are 8-6 while going 6-5 at home.

So far, Miami is below .500 in their ATS record, currently standing at 11-13. On the road, the Heat have an ATS record of 8-5 compared to a 3-8 record vs. the spread at home.

In their latest game, the Heat offense put up 116 points against the Bulls. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 46.2% and made 15 threes. The team’s top scorer is Jimmy Butler, who enters today’s matchup with an average of 21.5, while Bam Adebayo also carries a PPG average of 22.2 into the game.

Coming into the game, the Heat defense has held opposing team’s to fewer points than the league average in 28.0% of their games. Currently, they are 9th in the NBA at 111.8 points per game allowed.

In the terms of takeaways, Heat are causing 12.4 turnovers per game, ranking 7th in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 29th in rejections, averaging 3.2 blocked shots each game.