CHICAGO @ MIAMI (MIA -1.5, 205.5)
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BULLS VS. HEAT 4/19/24
When the Miami Heat host the Chicago Bulls tonight, they won't be depending on Jimmy Butler to lead the team into the postseason. Instead, the Heat will have to rally without Jimmy Buckets. Due to a sprained MCL in his right knee, which he sustained during Wednesday's 105-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, Butler will miss some significant time. Butler's MRI on Thursday revealed the extent of the condition. Regardless of whether the Heat win the crucial game against Chicago, Butler may have played his final game of the 2023–24 campaign.
In the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the winner of the Miami-Chicago game advances to face the top-seeded Boston Celtics.
Despite being hurt in the first quarter of Wednesday's game, Butler finished the game. He shot just 5-of-18 for the game, but he finished with 19 points. His ineffectiveness became apparent in the second half of the game. In the fourth quarter, Butler took just two shots, making one of them.
In their matchup with the Bulls, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will also need to perform better for the Heat. Herro only made nine of his 27 shots, but still managed 25 points against Philadelphia. Adebayo only scored 10 points, but he did grab 12 rebounds.
Miami's situation after losing to the 76ers is comparable to that of the Heat from the previous season, when they advanced to the playoffs by beatin Chicago 102-91 in the second play-in game after losing to Atlanta in the first round. Eventually, the Heat made it to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Denver Nuggets. Miami defeated the Bulls last season with a 15-1 run in the final quarter.
The Bulls defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks 131-116 on Wednesday night to earn a trip to South Florida. Leading the way was Coby White, who scored a career-high 42 points. Unfortunately for White, the play-in game isn’t officially counted, therefore, the stats aren’t either.
White is also motivated by the loss last season and felt the four Miami games this season were fiercely contested. The two teams split four games this season. Miami won the last one at home, but it was back in December.
Guard Alex Caruso of the Bulls is doubtful tonight due to a sprained left ankle. He suffered the injury when teammate Andre Drummond was sprinting up court and stepped on his ankle. Despite their injuries, Drummond (left ankle) and Ayo Dosunmu (quadricep) played on Wednesday and should be able to go tonight.
Heat guard Terry Rozier is also out of Friday's game due to a neck injury. This will be the sixth straight game Rozier has missed.
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FREE PICK: BAM ADEBAYO OVER 32.5 PTS + REBS
If you look at the box scores of all the Heat’s games played in April so far, you’d think there is no way Bam is hitting this number. In eight games in April, the closest he got to this was 32 when he had 20 points and 12 boards against Indiana on April 7. In his last three games, his totals were 23, 25, and 11. But, the reason this goes Over tonight is simple - no Jimmy Butler. In 21 games without Jimmy Buckets this season, Bam has averaged 22.1 points and 11.3 rebounds. Bam missed two games against the Bulls earlier this season, but in the two that he did play, he combined for 34 points and rebounds in both games..
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