The Miami Heat will begin their bid for a third successive NBA championship against the team expected to be their biggest obstacles in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls.
Betting Preview for Chicago Bulls vs. the Miami Heat
Betting on the Chicago Bulls
The long wait is over: after taking the entire year off to recuperate from a knee injury, Derrick Rose will make his much-awaited return to the Bulls line-up. The former MVP should immediately resuscitate an offense which languished in the bottom third in Offensive Rating without its star point guard.
Despite Rose’s absence, head coach Tom Thibodeau still led the Bulls to the playoffs thanks largely to his trademark outstanding defense which was once again Top 5 in Defensive Rating. The Bulls managed to reach the Conference Semifinals, before succumbing to eventual champions Miami in five games. [sc:NBA240banner ]
Rose figures to be Chicago’s major “addition” this year in an otherwise quiet summer. Veteran Mike Dunleavy and rookie Tony Snell were the only notable offseason moves to replace the departed Marco Bellineli and Richard Hamilton on the wings.
This means that Chicago will once again rely on the core of Rose, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and the emergent Jimmy Butler to do the heavy lifting.
The Bulls famously ended Miami’s historic 27-game winning streak last season, and with Rose back in the mix expect Chicago to once again cause the King some problems.
After successfully defending their title in dramatic fashion last season, LeBron James and the Miami Heat are now going for the three-peat.
Despite questions surrounding the future of the Big 3 in Miami past this year, the Heat are still overwhelming favorites to make it three in a row. Virtually the entire championship team has remained intact for this season, with some interesting additions.
The Heat re-signed their former no. 2 overall pick Michael Beasley after his release from the Suns due to marijuana possession. He will take up minutes vacated by the departed Mike Miller on the perimeter. Miami has also taken a flyer on former no. 1 overall pick Greg Oden, who’s set to make his return after almost three seasons out due to constant leg problems.
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Dwyane Wade will be refreshed after a summer of recovering from injuries and Chris Bosh will provide steady numbers, with the sharpshooting Ray Allen and Shane Battier on the flanks. And of course, they have reigning MVP LeBron James to lead the way.
Wade and the Heat have some bad memories from the last time they faced the Bulls on Opening Night after winning a championship, which they won’t want repeated. And of course, they will be out for revenge after last season’s streak-ending defeat.
Will the Heat celebrate their ring ceremony with a win over their main competition? Bet on the Miami Heat .
