Miami Heat to exact revenge over the Bulls

14Apr 2013

NBA

With the NBA regular season drawing to a close, attention begins to switch to the all-important play-off campaigns ahead. However, Sky Sports Sunday offers up two huge games between a quartet of Eastern rivals and Sumeet Paul takes a closer look at who will round off the regular season in style...

Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat

The Bulls head to Miami for what will undoubtedly be a heated contest. The last time these two met, Chicago ended the Heat's 27-game winning streak after ruffling a few feathers with their physical game.

LeBron James reacted angrily that night after what he deemed to be 'non-basketball plays' from the Bulls defensive unit. However, he won't be too troubled considering Miami have wrapped up the league's best record (63-16) and the No.1 seed in the East since.

Coach Erik Spoelstra will be buoyed by the return of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Friday's win over the Boston Celtics, and will have the much-heralded 'Big Three' back at his disposal after lengthy lay-offs.

The Bulls will likely still be without the injured pair of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, while Richard Hamilton is suspended. Doubts also remain over Taj Gibson and Luol Deng. In spite of that, they do have a habit of beating their play-off rivals in the East and lead the season series 2-1 over the Heat.

However, considering Miami's home record (35-4) and the return of their stars who will be eager for revenge, back the Heat to seal a dominant win over a banged-up Bulls team.

Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks

In the second part of the Sky Sports double bill, the Indiana Pacers visit Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks with the No.2 seed in the East on the line.

A win for the Knicks would seal it, but they trail their rivals 2-1 in the season series. However, they have form on their side having won 14 of their last 15 games.

At the forefront of their run are Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith who have combined to average 57.2 points over the last 15 games. The records continue to tumble for Anthony, who has now scored 30 points or more in his last seven games while Smith comes off the bench to regularly post up big numbers.

Despite both men struggling against the Pacers this season, it is difficult to look past the Knicks considering their current streak. They should seal second place in the East and as a result set up an opening round play-off series with the Boston Celtics.

San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers maintained their one-game advantage over the Utah Jazz for the eighth and final play-off spot in the West on Friday, but it came at a huge cost.

Kobe Bryant will miss the conclusion of their chase for play-off basketball, as well as the post season after sustaining a torn Achilles tendon.

Having lost the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Jazz, the Lakers must finish at least a game better than them, but it doesn't get much more difficult than taking on the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs have surrendered top spot in the West to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but remain a formidable outfit with Tony Parker and Tim Duncan leading the charge and will be determined to take back the No.1 seed.

Without Bryant and his averages of 27.3 points, 6.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds, more will be needed from Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. However, having lost both meetings already this season, it may not be enough to get past the Spurs.

Recommended Bets

Back the Miami Heat to beat the Chicago Bulls @ 1.23

Back the New York Knicks to beat the Indiana Pacers @ 1.59

Back the San Antonio Spurs to beat the Los Angeles Lakers @ 1.44