Game Preview: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls

Hello All, Thursday night the Miami Heat (37-34) will travel to play the Chicago Bulls (33-37). The Heat is 8-3 in March, while the Bulls are 2-9. Both teams have won 2 straight. The Heat leads the season series 2-1. PROJECTED STARTERS Heat Bobcats PG Arroyo D. Rose SG Wade K. Hinrich SF Richardson L. Deng (Dukie!) PF Beasley T. Gibson C O’Neal B. Miller STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN (Stats from Statsheet.com; 3/23/10) Effective Field Goal % The Heat is 18^th in the league at 49%; the Bulls are 28^th at 47.4%. EDGE: Heat Turnover % The Heat is 3^rd in the league at 12.9%; the Bulls are 15^th at 14.4%. EDGE: Heat Offensive Rebound % The Heat is 20^th in the league at 25.6%; the Bulls are 15^th at 26.6%. EDGE: Bulls Free Throw Rate The Heat is 15^th in the league at 29.6%; the Bulls are 24^th at 28.5%. EDGE: Heat KEY TO THE GAME In the Bulls one win against the Heat this season, Luol Deng exploited the Heat’s perimeter defense and Brad Miller lead the team on the glass with 8 boards. The Heat don’t have any particularly good matchup for Deng, so he will get his points. However, if the combination of Jermaine O’Neal and whoever else down low can make Miller predominantly a high post player than the Heat should win. Always guard the inbound passer.