Bulls vs Heat: Breaking Down Importance of Matchup for Both Teams

The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are set to clash tonight for the fourth and final time this season.

It’s going to be another epic battle with home-court advantage in the conference finals among the many things on the line.

Let’s take a look at what each team has to gain from a victory.

Chicago

The Bulls have a two-and-a-half game lead over the Heat in the East and would be putting the nail in the coffin with a win tonight. With so many feisty teams in the conference, it’s critical to play the first two games of a series in the United Center and having a potential Game 7 at home.

Luol Deng and Derrick Rose are both questionable for the contest, which is a double-edged sword.

If they choose to sit, that would give subs like C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas invaluable experience heading into the playoffs. However, the absence of the stars could cost Chicago an important game.

Should Deng and Rose play, they risk aggravating their injuries and setting them back during the most crucial stretch they will have all year.

Coach Tom Thibodeau must figure a way to get them involved—if active—but limit their minutes until the most crucial moments of the game.

Miami

The Heat have a lot of questions left to be answered heading into the postseason. If they continue to lose to undermanned Chicago teams, it’s going to be tough for them to convince even themselves that they can beat the Bulls in the playoffs.

They do have a chance to start a last-second push to steal the No. 1 seed in this contest and make a big statement with a win.

An ideal situation for Miami fans is for this game to be close going into the fourth quarter.

Having LeBron James come up huge in that final period and in the waning moments would alleviate all of the doubts and knocks the organization has been facing this season from naysayers.