Bulls Aiming to Get Back into Playoff Hunt Against Heat

Looking at March Madness odds, Derrick Rose must be inspired by the exploits of Kentucky and his old college coach, John Calipari, because the point guard has bounced from injury to power Chicago to a pair of important wins. Rose will try to lead his team to another victory on Thursday when the Bulls welcome Miami to the Windy City, and the Heat are playing very well down the stretch.

Heat vs Bulls odds – Thursday, March 25, 8:00 PM ET

Rose led five players in double figures with 27 points in a 98-88 win against Houston at home on Monday, and the Bulls held strong after coach Vinny Del Negro was ejected late in the third quarter. Flip Murray dropped 18 points off the bench for the Bulls, who shot 47.4% from the floor while holding the Rockets to 33.7%, and they also held a 53-39 edge on the boards. The Bulls still aren’t an offensive juggernaut by any stretch of the imagination, but with a healthy Rose in the lineup, they stand a much better chance in your sportsbook.

The Heat won 98-88 at New Jersey on Monday for their second straight win, and Dwyane Wade, who knows all about NCAA March Madness after making a name for himself at the 2003 Tournament, had 27 points, 12 assists and seven boards for Miami, who also got 25 points and nine rebounds from Jermaine O’Neal. The Heat shot 55.4% from the field, as opposed to 37.5% for the Nets, and they had just eight turnovers. The Heat have won seven of their last 10 to give them a little room at the bottom of the East playoff picture, but they’re still only 3.5 games ahead of the Bulls in sixth place.

The Bulls should be favored at home in this contest, as they’ve won eight of their last 10 against the Heat in Chicago. Miami has won two of three against the Bulls this season, both at home, with Wade averaging 22.3 points against his hometown team. Luol Deng has averaged 25.5 points against the Heat, but he is out with a calf injury. With no Deng or Joakim Noah, the Heat should be able to control the boards with O’Neal and Udonis Haslem. But the matchup to watch will be Rose against Wade, two dynamic guards from the city of Chicago that will be looking to put on a show for the Windy city fans. Both played well in the Bulls’ 95-91 win in Chicago on February 6^th, but the Bulls took advantage of 17 Miami turnovers, and they’ve ratcheted up the defense lately. Take the Bulls in your sports betting picks before you bet on March Madness.