NBA Game Picks & Analysis
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
NBA Play-In Preview: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls
Location: Chicago | Time: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Bulls -2
PLAY-IN GAME:
Winner advances to play for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Bulls, at home and favored by 1 point, have the edge. With strong shooting and depth, Chicago should cover the -2 spread against a Miami team that struggles away from home.
TEAM STATS:
Chicago is 28-24 vs. the East, ranking third in threeâpoint makes (15.4 per game at 36.7%). Coby White paces them with 2.9 triples on 37.0% shooting. Miami is 24-28 vs. the East and ranks ninth in defensive rebounds (33.7 per game), led by Bam Adebayo (7.2).
WHY THE BULLS WILL COVER:
Chicagoâs 117.8 points per game outpace Miamiâs defense, which allows 110.0. The Bulls move the ball well, creating open looks from deep. Their recent 7-3 run and homeâcourt comfort make a twoâpoint cover likely.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Nikola Vucevic (18.5Â PPG, 10.1Â RPG) anchors Chicagoâs inside attack, while Kevin Huerter has knocked down 2.4 threes over the last ten. For Miami, Andrew Wiggins pours in 18.0Â PPG and Tyler Herro has averaged 22.5Â PPG recently.
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Bulls: 7-3, 121.4 PPG, 50.2 RPG, 30.0 APG, 48.6% FG
- Heat: 6-4, 120.6 PPG, 47.1 RPG, 28.2 APG, 49.0% FG
INJURIES:
- Bulls: Ayo Dosunmu out (shoulder); Lonzo Ball, Tre Jones, Josh Giddey dayâtoâday
- Heat: Dru Smith out (Achilles); Pelle Larsson, Isaiah Stevens, Alec Burks, Nikola Jovic, Kevin Love, Andrew Wiggins dayâtoâday
Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings
NBA Play-In Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings
Location: Sacramento | Time: Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT
Our Pick: Kings -5
PLAY-IN GAME:
The winner advances to face the winner of the LakersâPelicans game for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
BOTTOM LINE:
Sacramento hosts as a 5âpoint favorite and has the edge in efficiency and depth. The Kings thrive in halfâcourt offense and convert at a higher rate around the rim. Dallas must rely on hot shooting from deep to keep pace, making it tough to cover on the road.
TEAM INSIGHTS:
- Sacramento Kings (26-26 vs. West): 22â19 in games decided by 10+ points. They average 115.3 PPG on 47.8% shooting, allowing just 114.2. Their balanced attack comes from Sabonis inside and multiple perimeter threats.
- Dallas Mavericks (23-29 vs. West): 8th in West in 3âpoint percentage (36.4%). They score 114.2 PPG on 46.4% shooting but struggle to defend pickâandâroll and limit secondâchance points.
WHY THE KINGS WILL COVER:
Sacramentoâs superior rebounding (+2.1 RPG) and efficiency in the paint will control pace. Dallas ranks 25th in opponent paint points, and the Kings exploit that by crashing the offensive glass. At home, Sacramentoâs depth allows them to maintain intensity and ice lateâgame free throws to preserve a lead.
TOP PERFORMERS:
- Domantas Sabonis (Kings): 19.1 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 6.0 APG.
- Zach LaVine (Mavericks): 25.1 PPG, 3.3 APG over last 10.
LAST 10 GAMES:
- Kings: 5-5, 113.6 PPG, 43.9 RPG, 49.0% FG.
- Mavericks: 4-6, 107.6 PPG, 41.7 RPG, 48.6% FG.
INJURIES:
- Kings: Jake LaRavia (thumb, DTD), Malik Monk (calf, out).
- Mavericks: Klay Thompson (foot, DTD), Anthony Davis (adductor, DTD), Dereck Lively II (ankle, DTD), Kyrie Irving (knee, out), Brandon Williams (oblique, DTD), P.J. Washington Jr. (ankle, DTD), OlivierâMaxence Prosper (wrist, out).
