Heat vs Bulls: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
As almost everyone expected coming into the season, home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs will come down to the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls.
Three games in the standings separate the first-place Bulls from the second-place Heat, making Thursday's showdown between the top teams in the east a must-win for Miami.
For Chicago, they ended a skid where they lost three of four games on Tuesday by exacting revenge on the New York Knicks with a 98-89 victory. Even more impressive than the score is the fact that Chicago won without point guard Derrick Rose, who had to sit out the game with yet another injury.
You can't say the same for Miami, who lost a game in the standings Tuesday night, dropping a rare home game to the Boston Celtics 115-107. Things haven't exactly gone as planned as of late for the Heat, who are only 5-5 in their last 10 games.
For the Heat to make a run at the top seed in the east, they have to get things turned around in a hurry, but it won't be easy, considering the Bulls are 23-6 at home.
Here's an in-depth look at everything you need to know about this Eastern Conference bout between two heavyweights.
When: Thursday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m. EDT
Where: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
Watch: TNT
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Line: No line due to Derrick Rose's unknown status
Heat Key Injuries (Per Yahoo! Sports)
No Key Injuries
Bulls Key Injuries
Day-to-Day: Derrick Rose, sprained right ankle (via NBA.com)
What They're Saying
Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times suggests that the health of Derrick Rose and Richard Hamilton aren't the only things that Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has been monitoring as of late.
For a team that leads the NBA in wins (44), slow starts and poor free-throw shooting could ultimately cost this team a shot at a championship.
‘‘It’s a concern,’’ Thibodeau said to Hayes after the Bulls again fell behind early to the Knicks. ‘‘It’s a big concern.’’
The Bulls rely on energy and when it's not there, you can see why Thibodeau is frustrated, but the free-throw shooting simply comes down to execution, which really irks the head coach. Also via the Chicago-Sun Times:
"You’ve got to make them, Thibodeau said after the Bulls went 8-for-17 from the line in a loss Thursday to the Houston Rockets. ‘You have to step up and make. Everyone is in the same boat. You have to find the time. You have to make the time. You have to get it done.
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Most Important Player to Watch: LeBron James
Since the beginning of April, James has shaken all of his previous shooting issues and has been playing out of his mind, averaging 30.2 PPG during the month, shooting over 51 percent from the floor.
James keeping his streak going will be necessary for the Heat to go into Chicago and come out with a win.
Key Matchup: James vs. Luol Deng
The hottest player in the NBA vs. the best defensive team in the league.
Deng will certainly be asked to slow down LeBron on more than one occasion. In the prior two meetings between the teams (each team winning one), James scored 35-points in each game. with him being as hot as he is, Deng can't allow him to go off for 30-plus in this one.
If he does, Miami will likely go into Chicago and steal one.
Prediction
Heat 102, Bulls 96
