The Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls should be an exciting play-in tournament game. Since its inception, the play-in tournament has taken on a life of its own, creating opportunities for more excitement and competitiveness heading into the playoffs. The Heat versus the Bulls should be a great matchup between the ninth and tenth seeds. Both teams faced some difficulties but have managed to find their way into the play-in tournament.
Play-In Tournament Explained
The play-in tournament is a series of games before the main playoffs begin. It decides which teams will earn the final seeds in the playoffs. Teams from the seventh to the tenth seed play in this tournament. Teams that finish with the sixth seed or higher do not have to compete.
Format
The 7th seed hosts the 8th seed, and the winner of this game secures the 7th seed for the playoffs. The loser of this game will then face the winner of the 9th vs. 10th game, with the winner earning the 8th seed. The 9th seed hosts the 10th seed in an elimination game. The play-in tournament adds another layer of competition and incentive to the end of the regular season, allowing teams that narrowly missed a playoff spot to earn their way in.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls finished the regular season with a 39-43 record, which secured them the ninth seed. Chicago was able to qualify for the play-in tournament despite trading players like Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso and then agreeing to sign and trade for DeMar DeRozan. During the season, this team stayed competitive. With the departures of those players, the Bulls have had other key players step up in their absence. This season, Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis have been key contributors.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat ended the regular season with a 37-45 record, which earned them the tenth spot in the Eastern Conference. Miami had a tumultuous season, facing injuries, organizational issues, and the Jimmy Butler saga. Despite all the controversies, Head Coach Erik Spoelstra held his team together to stay competitive and ensure they got into the play-in tournament. Tyler Herro and Bam Abedayo led Miami and will need Herro to come up big during clutch time.
Season Series
The Chicago Bulls dominated the regular season series. They were 3-0 against the Heat. However, the most recent matchup between the two teams doesn’t count for much, as the players who played in that final game will likely not be playing in this next matchup. In those previous matchups, stars Giddey and White outplayed Herro and Adebayo. During the March 8 matchup, Giddey had 26 points and 12 assists on 3-of-4 three-point shooting. White had 21 points on a terrible shooting night.
Players To Watch
Coby White: Averaging 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists
Josh Giddey: Averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists
Tyler Hero: Averaging 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists
Bam Adebayo: Averaging 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists
Injury Update
Giddey will be a game-time decision for this game. However, it’s hard to think he won’t do everything possible to play. Both Adebayo and Herro will be game-time decisions. The belief should be that all three players will go for their respective teams.
Conclusion
This game will be the third year in a row these teams will face off in the play-in tournament. In both previous seasons, the Heat ended the Bulls’ playoff hopes and went to the playoffs. This year, the odds may be different for the Heat. The Bulls have been the fifth-best clutch team this year, and the Heat have been the third-worst. The Heat has often blown leads late due to poor execution and poor decision-making. Time will tell if history repeats itself.
