Bulls - Heat Preview

Regular Season Series - Bulls Won 3-0

01/15/11 - Chicago 99 Miami 96 - LeBron James, Joakim Noah DNP
02/24/11 - Chicago 93 Miami 89 - Chris Bosh 1/18 shooting
03/06/11 - Chicago 87 Miami 86 - Miami Bench 2/12 shooting, 6 points


Playoff Resumes

(1) Chicago

Def. (8) Indiana 4 games to 1
Def. (5) Atlanta 4 games to 2

(2) Miami

Def. (7) Philadelphia 4 games to 1
Def. (3) Boston 4 games to 1


Likely Starters

Chicago

PG - Derrick Rose - 28.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 8.2 apg
SG - Keith Bogans - 5.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.7 apg
SF - Luol Deng - 16.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
PF - Carlos Boozer - 11.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.8 apg
C - Joakim Noah - 9.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.1 apg

Miami

PG - Mike Bibby - 3.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg
SG - Dwyane Wade - 26.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.0 apg
SF - LeBron James - 26.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 4.9 apg
PF - Chris Bosh - 16.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 1.1 apg
C - Joel Anthony - 4.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.4 apg


Key Bench Players

Chicago

SG - Kyle Korver - 7.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.4 apg
F - Taj Gibson - 6.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.5 apg
PG - C.J. Watson - 3.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 2.0 apg
SG - Ronnie Brewer - 2.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 apg
C - Omer Asik - 0.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.1 apg

Miami

SF - James Jones - 7.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.2 apg
PG - Mario Chalmers - 6.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.1 apg
C - Zydrunas Ilgauskas - 3.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.3 apg
SG - Mike Miller - 0.7 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.7 apg
PF - Udonis Haslem - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, 0.0 apg *

*played just 1 game


Prediction

Chicago's won every matchup with Miami this year, but all three came down to the wire. Chicago is relentless on defense and has a lot more depth, but Miami has Dwyane Wade and LeBron James both playing at the top of their games right now. Chicago doesn't exactly have slouches as the 2011 MVP, Derrick Rose has been sensational this postseason putting up 39, 36, 44, 34 and 33 point games in the first two rounds. So how's it all going to unfold? Chicago was my pick to come out of the East back before the season even started, so I'm not going to pick against them here. I'm going to say the Bulls are going to win in 6 and go to the Finals for the first time since the Jordan era. I think Derrick Rose presents all sort of matchup problems for Miami. In 3 games against the Heat this year he had 34 points and 8 assists, 26 points and 6 assists, and 27 points and 5 assists. And each time, he showed the ability to take the game over down the stretch. The recent resurgence of Carlos Boozer is a big plus, and Chicago's ability to rebound the basketball on both ends of the floor is going to put pressure on Miami's big men. Chris Bosh is going to have a huge impact on the series. If he plays up to his ability, the Heat will be in good shape, but he's been inconsistent in the playoffs, and it seems like he crumbles in big moments. If he does not get off to a good start, memories of his 1 for 18 shooting performance in February are sure to get back into his head. So yeah, Bulls in 6, every game coming down to the wire. Hopefully it's not my hatred of the Heat that is blinding me right now.