Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 4/16/25, 2:01 AM  by Erik Gibbs | Modified on 4/16/25 at 3:52 AM in NBA Picks

The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls clash in a high-stakes NBA Play-In showdown Wednesday at the United Center. With the loser’s season coming to an abrupt end, this game carries significant weight. The winner, meanwhile, will move on to face either the Orlando Magic or Atlanta Hawks for a chance to secure the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

For Miami, this marks their first postseason appearance without Jimmy Butler since 2019. Butler’s departure earlier this year left a significant hole in the lineup, but Bam Adebayo has embraced the leadership role, elevating his offensive performance over the past few months. Despite his efforts, the Heat limped into the play-in round, losing four of their final six regular-season games. A particularly disappointing home loss to the lowly Wizards capped off their 37-45 campaign, placing them third in the Southeast Division and forcing them into a road play-in scenario.

Chicago, on the other hand, enters the matchup with momentum. The Bulls closed the regular season with three straight wins, including a gritty road victory over the 76ers, and finished 6-1 over their last seven games. They ended the season with a 39-43 record, last in the Central Division, but their recent form has been encouraging.