Dwyane Wade Gets A Visit From His Hometown Chicago Bulls
by Tim Furious
As if things couldn’t get worse for the Chicago Bulls. While losing Luol Deng and Joakim Noah, the Bulls lost Derrick Rose to a sprained wrist on Thursday night. The timing is terrible as Chicago continues to try and claw their way in to the post season and they simply can’t afford to give up anymore ground than they already have, especially when they’re playing one of the teams they’re chasing for a playoff spot.
The Bulls have dropped six straight games in a row, while also getting wrecked on an 0-6 ATS streak. It’s one thing to lose your two best role players (Deng, Noah), but to lose your star to a wrist injury is a kick to the groin that Chicago didn’t need. Rose is expected to have an MRI in Miami today but even with the results, the swelling and stiffness in his wrist will likely keep him on the sidelines.
Chicago’s only saving grace on the NBA basketball betting metrics is that they’re 9-4 ATS in their past 13 games against Miami. In fact, five weeks ago they beat Miami in Chicago 95-91. They’re in a terrific position to improve hand over fist this summer as their cap space will probably land them one of the major players in free agency.
One of those guys is Chicago’s own, Dwyane Wade whose Miami Heat are 4-1 SU at home.
Friday, March 12th --- AmericanAirlines Arena --- 7:30pm EST
: Miami -11.5 (191)
Wade has started his own march madness by averaging an bewildering 30.8 points and 9.2 assists. Even though he doesn’t get much help on the scoreboard from the rest of the Heat, what has typified this team is their strong defense. Miami ranks third overall in home defense, allowing just 93.5 points per game.
The Heat are having some injury problems of their own as Jermaine O’Neal and Michael Beasley are listed as game-time decisions. The disappearance of Rafer Alston may be a slight distraction, but it’s not like he was playing much anyways.
In a tale of two teams that are battling injuries, the home team is the logical bet here. The Bulls have a great nucleus to build around for the future, but in the immediate present that nucleus is nursing all sorts of hazardous injuries. Don’t get caught under the betting bus.
