The Heat suffered their first loss of the playoffs last Monday when the short-handed Bulls upset set them 93-86 in Game 1. Miami sent a clear message in Game 2, though, letting the world know the series opener was an aberration, a product of too much down time, perhaps, as they crushed Chicago 115-78 to even the series 1-1.

The Heat fired another salvo on Friday night, handing the Bulls a 104-94 loss at the United Center. Miami shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.7 percent from the charity stripe in earning the double digit victory. Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen combined for just 14 points in the win, but LeBron James and Chris Bosh teamed up for 45 points, 27 rebounds, and 11 assists. Reserve guard Norris Cole also had a big night, notching 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

All five starters for Chicago scored in double figures, but only three Bulls reserves saw action in the game and they contributed a total of eight points.

The Bulls could get a shot in the arm tonight with the possible return of Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng back. Both players, who are listed as questionable, have missed the entire series thus far. Whether they play or not, the result is not expected to change; Miami is the clear favorite of odds makers and bettors either way.

NBA Playoff Picks Betting Trend: The Over is 7-1 in the Bulls last eight games as a home dog with a spread between 4 and 7.5 points.

Heat vs Bulls Game 4 Odds 2013 NBA Playoff Picks: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Miami Heat -7.5 (-110), Over 187 (-110), -370 (Moneyline)

Chicago Bulls +7.5 (-110), Under 187 (-110), +305 (Moneyline)

The Chicago Bulls shocked the Heat and the world on Monday night with their 93-86 Game 1 win over the defending champs, but Miami woke from its slumber for Wednesday’s contest. The Heat’s offense punished the Bulls short-handed lineup, shooting 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc en route to an easy 115-78 victory.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for just 34 points in the blowout, but Miami’s bench helped alleviate the offensive burden the two stars usually shoulder. Heat reserves contributed 54 points as Ray Allen and Norris Cole scored 21 and 18 points respectively.

Miami, which held Chicago to 35.5 percent field goal shooting, also reversed the rebounding numbers, scoring a 41 to 28 edge on the glass after get out-rebounded 46 to 32 in Game 1.

The Bulls plays with a tremendous amount of heart and their physical style has caused the Heat trouble in the past; however, with Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich both expected to miss another game, they will be up against it once again. Unless Jimmy Butler can produce like he did in the series opener (21 points) and Carlos Boozer can snap out of his offensive funk (14 points in the series thus far), Chicago will have trouble pulling off another upset, even at the United Center.

NBA Playoff Predictions Betting Trend: The Heat are 9-1 straight up and 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games as a road favorite with a spread between 4 and 7.5 points.

Heat vs Bulls Game 3 Odds 2013 NBA Playoff Predictions: Provided by Bovada.lv

Miami Heat -7.5 (-105), Over 187 (-115)

Chicago Bulls +7.5 (-115), Under 187 (-105)

Chicago stunned the world on Monday night, scoring a 93-86 win over the Heat to take a 1-0 series lead. The Bulls, playing as a +11.5 road underdog, got big offensive efforts from Jimmy Butler and Nate Robinson, who scored 21 and 27 points apiece, but they were able to get the win because of their defense.

Chicago held Miami to 39.7 percent field goal shooting and only LeBron James (24) and Dwyane Wade (21) were able to score in double figures for the Heat. Miami also hurt itself at the free throw line where it connected on just 17 of its 25 attempts. Conversely, the Bulls, who secured a 46 to 32 advantage on the glass, downed 24-of-29 from the charity stripe.

The Bulls win on Monday marked its third win over the Heat this season and their second at the AmericanAirlines Arena (Chicago defeated the Heat 96-89 in Miami on January 4th). Despite Chicago’s recent track record against Miami, the odds makers are expecting a bounce back performance from the Heat tonight. In Miami’s defense, it entered Monday’s game after an inordinate amount of rest. The Heat, which had not played for seven days, clearly showed some signs of rust, most notably their inability to put the ball in the basket.

NBA Playoff Picks Betting Trend: The Bulls are 5-2 against the spread over the last two years playing as a road dog coming off a road win.

Bulls vs Heat Game 2 Odds 2013 NBA Playoff Picks: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Chicago Bulls +12 (-110), Over 187 (-110), +750 (Moneyline)

Miami Heat -12 (-110), Under 187 (-110), -1200 (Moneyline)

The Bucks did some big talking before their best of seven series with the Heat got underway, but their bravado did not help them on Sunday night. Milwaukee got smashed 110-87, putting it in an 0-1 hole that it will, in all probability, never escape from.

The Heat were a lackluster 7-of-23 from beyond the arc, but that was the only offensive area where they came up short. Miami shot 55.9 percent as a team and had five players, including two reserves, score in double figures. Leading the charge was LeBron James, who finished the game with 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting; James also added 10 rebounds and eight assists. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade added 15 and 16 points respectively while Ray Allen dropped in 20 points in 29 minutes off the bench.

Bucks guards Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis combined for 48 points, but they were the only Milwaukee players to score in double figures in the loss.

Miami has now won five of its last six meetings with the Bucks, beating Jennings and company by an average of 14.4 points per game. Milwaukee has lost three straight at the AmericanAirlines Arena, but it did manage to get one of those games, a November 2012 meeting, to overtime (106-113).

NBA Playoff Predictions Betting Trend: Miami is 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against the spread in its last seven games as a home favorite with a total between 195 and 200 points (Under was 5-2 in same seven games).

Bucks vs Heat Game 2 Odds 2013 NBA Playoff Predictions: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Milwaukee Bucks +14.5 (-110), Over 197 (-110), +1350 (Moneyline)

Miami Heat -14.5 (-110), Under 197 (-110), -2700 (Moneyline)

The Bucks enter the playoffs losing eight of their last ten. The Bucks went 4-12 over their final 16 games and struggled on the defensive end while getting inconsistent production from Jennings and Ellis on the perimeter. Jennings went 1-for-11 from the field in a home loss to Denver in the next-to-last game of the season but had one of his best games with 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting in a 94-83 loss at Miami on April 9. That marked the only time in Milwaukee’s final 22 games that he shot better than 50 percent from the floor. Where the Bucks excel is on the glass. Larry Sanders, Ersan Ilyasova and John Henson will try to keep LeBron James off the boards and out of transition. Milwaukee will try to pick at the Heat’s lone weakness on the glass while Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings attempt to wear them out on the perimeter.

The Heat enters winning nine of their last ten games. Dwyane Wade returned over the final two games and looked sharp with 21 points and 10 assists on Wednesday. The Heat are the favorites to repeat as champion and have done little to make anyone doubt that prognostication. Miami finished the season with wins in 37 of its final 39 games and ranks in the top five in both points scored and points allowed.

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Miami has the best player in the game in James and put together the second-longest winning streak in NBA history with 27 straight that included 107-94 triumph at Milwaukee on March 15. Anything less than back-to-back titles will be a disappointment for the Heat. Miami’s biggest worry on Sunday will be how the team comes together after so many of the regulars took multiple games off and did not get a chance to play together down the stretch. The Heat should be able to shake off that rust by halftime in their own building, where they posted an Eastern Conference-best 37-4 record. James just finished up a regular season in which he shot 56.5 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from beyond the arc. He went 11-for-16 from the field in the April 9 win over the Bucks and has averaged 29.4 points on 50.1 percent shooting against Milwaukee in his career.

Recent Betting Trends to Consider:
Under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Miami.
Bucks are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Miami.
Under is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings.
Bucks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Bucks are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 vs. NBA Southeast.
Bucks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Bucks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.
Heat are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Sunday games.
Heat are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
Heat are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Heat are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
Heat are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat
When: Sunday, April 21, 2012@7:00 PM ET
Pick: Heat -16500

The Bucks don’t stand a chance against the Heat.We recommend you sign up with Bovada.lv to receive a 10% sign up bonus heading into the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

Miami roared into the All-Star break with an Eastern Conference best 35-14 record thanks to a seven game winning streak that featured key victories against Clippers, Lakers, and Thunder. Well, the Heat wasted little time picking up where they left off as they wiped out Southeast rival Atlanta 103-90 last night at the Philips Arena in Georgia.

The Hawks shot 50 percent from the field in the loss, but they were a horrific 7-for-26 from beyond the arc and they turned the ball over 19 times. James led the Heat with 24 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and four steals while Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier, and Ray Allen all contributed 20, 14, 17, and 15 points respectively.

Chicago limped into All-Star weekend having lost four of its last five games, bringing its record to 30-22 overall, but it opened the season’s second half with a 96-87 win at New Orleans on Tuesday night. The Bulls out-rebounded the Hornets 47 to 39 and they held Eric Gordon and company to 41.7 percent field goal shooting. Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah both had big nights with Boozer going for 17 points, 10 boards, and four steals while Noah added 15 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. Luol Deng led Chicago in scoring with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting.

Miami is certainly the hotter of these two teams right now, but the Bulls are a solid dog play at +3.5. Chicago has won six of its last eight regular season meetings with the Heat and it is 4-0 in its last four regular season games at the United Center opposite Miami.

NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Heat are 1-6 both straight up and against the spread in their last seven games as a road favorite with a spread between 0 and 3.5 points.

NBA Odds on Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls: Provided by PlayersOnly.com

Miami Heat -3.5 (-115), Over 186 (-110), -160 (Moneyline)

Chicago Bulls +3.5 (-105), Under 186 (-110), +140 (Moneyline)

Houston has a big challenge on its hands this evening, but it does carry some positive momentum into its clash with the Heat. The Rockets scored their fifth win in their last six games last night, destroying Golden State 140-109 at the Toyota Center. The victory, which came on the heels of a 109-95 spanking of the Bobcats, featured an NBA record 23 three pointers made.

Eight Rockets scored in double figures, but Jeremy Lin and James Harden led the way for Head Coach Kevin McHale. Lin finished with a team high 28 points while Harden added 18; the pair combined to hit 9-of-13 from beyond the arc and 15-of-27 overall. Patrick Patterson and Omer Asik came up big as well, as they notched 12 point/10 rebound and 11 point/15 rebound double doubles respectively.

It seems highly unlikely the Rockets will duplicate last night’s shooting performance, but they may need to in order to top the Heat. Miami, which leads the Southeast Division with a 31-14 record, opened a five game home stand on Monday night with a 99-94 win over Charlotte. The win marked their 19th in 22 games at the AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Heat relied primarily on its big three in the win as LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade scored 31, 23, and 20 points respectively. James also added eight rebounds and eight assists while Wade snagged a game high 12 rebounds.

Miami has owned the Rockets in recent seasons and it scored its sixth consecutive win over Houston earlier this season with a 113-110 November victory at the Toyota Center. The Heat are also 9-1 straight up in their last 10 games with a spread between 8 and 10.5 and a total between 205 and 210 points; however, Miami is 1-6 against the spread in its last seven games in the same situation.

NBA Betting Odds on Houston Rockets at Miami Heat: Provided by Superbook.com

Houston Rockets +8 (-110), Over 208 (-110), +290 (Moneyline)

Miami Heat -8 (-110), Under 208 (-110), -350 (Moneyline)

Miami opened its current road swing with a 100-98 overtime loss to the Celtics. The Heat, who fell to 10-10 away from home with the unexpected setback (Miami was lined as a five point road favorite), had 20 turnovers and shot just 40.6 percent from the field in the loss. LeBron James was spectacular in defeat, scoring 34 points to go along with 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Dwyane Wade, on the other hand, struggled as he finished the game with 17 points (6-of-20 FG) and six turnovers.

Miami and Wade will look to regroup this evening, but they could have their hands full with the surging Nets. Brooklyn (27-18), which owns a 17-7 record at the Barclays Center, has won 11 of its last 14 games and it opened its current four game home stand with a 97-77 win over the Magic on Monday night.

The Nets victory, which snapped a two game skid, saw the team shoot 50 percent from the field as it downed 13 of its 29 three point attempts. Brooklyn also controlled the glass, scoring a 45 to 36 rebound advantage. Deron Williams led the Nets with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting; he also registered a team high nine assists. Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, and reserve Keith Bogans all finished in double figures as well, notching 16, 13, and 12 points respectively.

Despite their recent play, the Nets are probably feeling a little skittish with the Heat in town. Miami has dominated this series in recent seasons, having won its last 13 meetings with Brooklyn. The Heat are also 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games with the Nets.

NBA Betting Odds on Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets: Provided by Superbook.com

Miami Heat -3 (-110), Over 190 (-110), -145 (Moneyline)

Brooklyn Nets +3 (-110), Under 190 (-110), +125 (Moneyline)

Oklahoma City probably did not envision itself sitting in this situation, down 1-3 with one more game to be played in Miami, but that is exactly where fate has taken the team. Quite simply, since the Thunder’s 105-94 Game 1 victory, the Heat have been the better team and they continued to prove that on Tuesday night.

Yes, Oklahoma City had its opportunities, just as it has in every game, but they again came up short in the fourth quarter, losing 104-98. The Thunder shot a respectable 48.8 percent from the field, but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook shouldered almost the entire offensive load as James Harden continued his offensive struggles. Durant finished the game with 28 points while Westbrook tallied a game high 43 on 20-of-32 shooting. The rest of the starting lineup added just 13 points and Harden totled eight in 37 minutes off the bench (averaging 10.8 points per game in the Finals after averaging 17.6 per contest in the Thunder’s first three playoff series).

Miami got another huge performance from LeBron James, who totaled 26 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists in yet another attempt to remove his unjustified choke artist label. Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers each added 25 points as they combined to go 5-0f-12 from beyond the arc.

The Heat, which finished with a 40-35 edge on the glass, shot 48.1 percent for the game and they knocked down 18 of their 25 free throw attempts (OKC 15-of-16 from the charity stripe).

The Thunder have yet to face elimination in these playoffs, but they do not appear to be a fold the tents bunch. Knowing that two home games are on the other side of win, Durant and company will give it their all this evening. Conversely, the last thing the Heat want to do is board a plane for Oklahoma City following a failed opportunity to win the NBA Finals in Miami. In other words, expect a close finish this evening.

NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Under is 9-1 in the Heat’s last 10 games as a home favorite with a total between 190 and 195 points.

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2012 NBA Finals Odds Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat Game 5: Provided by SBG Global

Oklahoma City Thunder +3 (-110), Over 193.5 (-110), +130 (Moneyline)

Miami Heat -3 (-110), Under 193.5 (-110), -150 (Moneyline)

Oklahoma City handled Miami with relative ease in Game 1, beating the Heat 105-94 to take a 1-0 series lead, but Kevin Durant and company have stumbled since. The Thunder dropped Game 2 100-96 at home and Miami secured a 2-1 lead on Sunday with a 91-85 victory at the AmericanAirlines Arena.

Durant produced 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting in the Thunder’s Game 3 loss, but he was mostly a one man gang as the team shot just 42.9 percent from the field and 4-of-18 from beyond the arc. Kendrick Perkins chipped in with 10 points and 12 boards and Russell Westbrook added 19 points (8-of-18 FG), but the OKC bench, which features James Harden, totaled just 20 points.

Miami shot an even worse 37.8 percent from the field, but a 31-for-35 effort from the charity stripe proved enough to get the Heat another key win. LeBron James led Miami with 29 points and 14 rebounds, but Dwyane Wade also showed up big, totaling 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Chris Bosh, who added a 10 point, 11 rebound double double, was the only other Heat player to score in double figures.

Oklahoma City’s Sunday slip up marked its second set of back-to-back losses of the postseason. The Thunder opened its Western Conference Finals series opposite the Spurs with two consecutive losses at San Antonio; they responded with four straight wins to take the series 4-2. Limiting their skid to just two this time around may prove difficult given Miami’s 8-2 home playoff record, but the Thunder are more than capable of knotting this series up at two all.

NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Heat are 2-6 straight up and against the spread as a home favorite with a spread between 0 and 3.5 and total between 190 and 195.

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2012 NBA Finals Odds Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat Game 4: Provided by Bovada.lv

Oklahoma City Thunder +3.5 (-115), Over 193 (-110), +130 (Moneyline)

Miami Heat -3.5 (-105), Under 193 (-110), -150 (Moneyline)