Heat vs Bulls

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat on December 20. NBA betting best bet and free pick analysis.

[DeMar DeRozan](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/1654/demar-derozan) is not a 3-point shooter and neither is [Alex Caruso](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/5379/alex-caruso). The issue for the Heat is that their supporting cast of found-parts players like Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and even the recently dusted-off Duncan Robinson are all massively underperforming as scorers. And that’s significant to this 224 Total because Miami has been a downright rotten offense of late. Their recent loss to Minnesota was a franchise-record scoring night for the Wolves and a new nadir for a listless Chicago franchise. That could easily be a metaphor for the Bulls right now, who seem to find new, never before seen ways to lose in embarrassing fashion of late. If there’s anything that gives me pause, it’s that the Heat have been unusually poor against the spread at home, going 3-14-1 ATS in their last 18 at FTX Arena. In theory, that’s something that a LaVine and DeRozan team should excel at beating. [Nikola Vu?evi?](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/549/nikola-vucevic) is supposed to be a plus shooter and spacer, but opposing teams do not respect his shot to the level that he generates much gravity. The Heat's switching scheme also forces opposing teams into a lot of isolation basketball. But a series of knee injuries seem to have sapped some of his verve inside the arc, and he’s now playing below the rim and on the outskirts of the paint more than ever. The Chicago Bulls are in a tailspin. It’s tempting to say they’ve hit rock bottom, but with a game against the ruthless Miami Heat tonight, things can always get worse.

The Chicago Bulls visit the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. We continue our NBA odds series with a Bulls-Heat prediction and pick.

Herro has been very efficient as well as he’s shooting 46% from the field and 41% from three. The biggest reason Miami can cover tonight is their advantage down low. The Bulls are a much better team when he’s on the court and his playing time could swing a narrow spread tonight. The Heat still have a brutal offense that ranks 29th in scoring and 26th in offensive rating. Miami doesn’t do themselves any favors on the glass where they rank 25th in both rebound differential and rebound rate. The Heat are 10-19-2 against the spread while 52% of their games have gone over. The Bulls are 12-16-1 against the spread while 55% of their games have gone under. He’s played well in recent games as he’s averaging 24.4 PPG on 63% shooting. The Heat are a strong defensive team but the one area they can be exposed is on the perimeter. He’s shooting over 50% for just the third time in his career – demonstrating his ability to keep getting better as he ages. His strong play of late and earlier success against Miami is something to keep in mind before making a Bulls-Heat prediction. The Bulls are average in nearly every aspect of the game including offensively where they rank 15th in scoring and 22nd in offensive rating.

Game time: 7:30 p.m., ET. Where: Miami. TV: Bally Sports Sun. Betting line: Heat -5. VITALS: The Heat and Bulls meet for the second of three matchups this ...

[CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/miami-heats-jimmy-butler-frustrated-with-lack-of-consistency) [CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/miami-heat-searching-for-answers-on-defensive-end) [CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/miami-heat-must-eliminate-losses-against-team-they-are-supposed-to-defeat) Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Wednesday's win against the Thunder: “There’s been a little bit more intent of getting to our actions and finding the open guy without missing the moment. For the Bulls, Javonte Green (knee) is questionable and Lonzo Ball (knee) is out. For the Heat, Jimmy Butler (knee) and Dewayne Dedmon (foot) are probable, Udonis Haslem (Achilles), Kyle Lowry (knee), Caleb Martin (ankle) are questionable and Gabe Vincent (knee), Omer Yurtseven (foot) and Jamal Cain (G League) are out.

There are only five NBA games tonight, but there is no quicker way to get into the action than first-basket betting. Betting the first basket is one of the ...

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The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat could play a low-scoring game on Tuesday, as both teams are bottom-10 in the NBA in offensive rating this season.

28 pace in the league. Chicago was awful in its last game, allowing 150 points to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it’s facing a defensive-minded Heat team tonight. Despite that, the Heat have won nine of their 15 home games.