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It’s desperation time for one of the NBA’s glamour franchises, who face an uphill battle to make the playoffs this year. The Chicago Bulls (39-39) travel to South Beach to face the Miami Heat (45-32) in an absolute must win. Join The Roar for live score updates.
One thing has been consistent for the Bulls this season – inconsistency. With the amount of talent they have on their roster, the fact they could miss the post-season is an appalling let-down.
They have no doubt missed Joakim Noah, who they lost in January to a shoulder injury. But between Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, they should have one of the most devastating backcourts in basketball; something hasn’t clicked.
Miami, alternatively, have exceeded expectations, particularly after losing perennial All-Star Chris Bosh for likely the rest of the season with a very concerning blood clot condition.
Dwyane Wade has glued his knees back together and is playing like the Wade of old. Add to that the phenomenal rise of Hassan Whiteside, a legitimate contender for Defensive Player of the Year, and a few wily vets, and you have the current fifth seed in the East.
Even though the Heat have secured their playoff spot, this game is still vitally important. Less than one game separates the third to sixth seeds in the East and Miami find themselves in a battle with the three other teams to secure home advantage.
Miami have only gone a pedestrian 19-19 in road games this season, so they won’t give up trying to secure that advantage.
While the game may have lost some of its lustre from past years when this match-up was one of the league’s best, there is always something compelling about the desperation this part of the season brings out.
Prediction
The Heat are a better rounded team, particularly as far as cohesiveness goes. I can’t see Chicago overcoming the train wreck that their 2015-16 season has been.
Heat by 14
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