Two teams that could well match up against each other in the postseason play-in tournament will face off tonight as the Chicago Bulls host the Miami Heat.
Chicago is playing the second game of a back-to-back tonight, which is why I’m taking this red-hot Miami team to cover in my Heat vs. Bulls predictions.
Read on to get a full breakdown of tonight’s matchup in my free NBA picks for Wednesday, April 9.
Heat vs Bulls prediction
My best bet: Miami -2 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
While the Miami Heat aren’t among anyone’s top picks to make a deep run in the playoffs, there’s no denying that the Heat are one of the hottest teams in the league right now. They’ve won seven of their last nine games, and covered in eight of those contests.
That stretch has seen Miami excel on both sides of the ball, though the turnaround on offense has been most impressive. The Heat are averaging 117.6 ppg over their last nine games, way above the 110.0 ppg they’ve put up for the full season, and a complete turnaround from the struggles they faced after they parted ways with Jimmy Butler. For a team that has been solid enough on defense all season long, the offensive improvement has made the Heat a much more dangerous team.
Miami will get a test tonight against a Chicago Bulls team that has also played well of late, winning seven of their last 10. However, the Bulls haven’t been hitting the mark for bettors, going just 2-4 ATS in their last six games overall.
While the Bulls have managed to win their share of games lately, that’s only because their offense has been able to make up for a defense that’s having trouble stopping opposing teams — especially those with capable scorers. Over their last six games, Chicago has given up 124.7 ppg, a number that would be the worst mark in the NBA by far if the Bulls were at that number for the full season.
As it is, they have allowed 120.1 ppg on the year and have a 115.5 defensive rating, both among the worst numbers in the league this season.
Chicago should have more of its lineup available tonight after sitting Josh Giddey, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and others against the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. But the back-to-back situation still gives me some concerns about depth for the Bulls, as the team’s key reserves all played way more minutes last night than they typically see. Miami will also be healthy tonight, with Bam Adebayo in the lineup after missing Monday’s game with back spasms.
The Bulls won the first two games between these teams, but both were single-digit victories when the Heat were playing their worst basketball of the year. Miami is a different team now that it has settled into its post-Butler reality, and we’ll see that difference tonight. I’m taking the Heat to cover.
Heat vs Bulls same-game parlay
Miami -1.5
Over 227.5
Tyler Herro Over 23.5 points
I like Miami to win tonight, and I’ll be combining that pick with a bet on the Over to start my same-game parlay. Chicago has been a higher-scoring team all season long, playing to an average total of nearly 240 points, while the Heat have been stepping it up on offense during their recent hot streak. That’s enough for me to back the Over, which is set at a reasonable 227.5 points tonight.
I’m also taking Tyler Herro (23.8 ppg) to benefit from the scoring barrage. Much of Miami’s recent resurgence has been due to Erik Spoelstra finding an offensive scheme that works after the departure of Jimmy Butler, and that’s included plenty of usage of Herro. He has gone Over 23.5 points in five of his last six games, and will have plenty of chances to rack up points in tonight’s game.
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Heat vs Bulls odds
Heat vs Bulls live odds
Heat vs Bulls opening odds
- Spread: Miami -2 | Chicago +2
- Moneyline: Miami -125 | Chicago +111
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Heat vs Bulls spread and Over/Under analysis
- Miami is 38-40-1 against the spread this season, while Chicago has gone 41-37-1 ATS overall this year.
- The Bulls are 2-0 straight up and ATS against the Heat so far this season.
- The Over has a slight advantage when each of these teams play, going 41-37-1 in Chicago’s games and 41-38 when Miami plays.
- The Heat are playing to an average total of 219.9 ppg, with the Bulls coming into tonight’s contest averaging a total of 237.8 ppg.
Heat vs Bulls trend
The Heat are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Bulls.
How to watch Heat vs Bulls
| Location | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Wednesday, 4-9-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Chicago Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network - Sun |
Heat vs Bulls latest injuries
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