Monday's NBA Playoff Selection
Opinion Selection
Chicago +7' over MIAMI
Shaquille O'Neal and the Heat have a 1-0 lead in their NBA Playoff series with the Bulls, which is a good omen for Miami, as a team with the "Big Diesel" has never lost a series after winning the opener. Guard Dwyane Wade scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as the hometown Heat held off a pesky Chicago team 111-106 in Game 1 on Saturday night. It was a 1 STAR SELECTION winner for PRO INFO SPORTS as we predicted a Miami SU win, but a Chicago cover and we see a similar outcome for Game 2 Monday night.
The Bulls' Ben Gordon had 35 points and Kirk Hinrich added 19 points and eight assists, who made 13 of 26 3-pointers. Chicago came up just short against Miami as they have a number of times this season and they have the confidence for another strong effort here. "There was no doubt in our minds coming in that we can stay with these guys just because of how hard we play," Gordon said. "We just have to continue playing and hopefully have better luck next time."
The Bulls are now 4-0 ATS this year vs. Miami with a blowout SU win and close losses of 1, 3, and 5 points. We also note that in NBA Playoff rounds 1 & 2, underdogs of 4+ points with a total of 195+ points are 9-0 ATS since 2002 off a SU loss or SU win of less than 3 points in which they scored 100+ points.
Miami is also not quite 100% healthwise. Alonzo Mourning missed Game 1 and is questionable for Game 2. Dwayne Wade hobbled into the locker room with 8.6 seconds left of Game 1, succumbing to a severe cramp in his calf. Still, the wagering public can't seem to get enough of high-priced Heat. They moved the Game 1 opening line a couple of points by tip-off and they've already moved the opening line of this game by a half point. Miami may be starting to realize what others haven't yet. "We've got to expect a war," guard Gary Payton said. "Everybody's overlooking this team, but this is a very good team."
We didn't overlook the Bulls in Game 1 and we won't here, either. They probably won't convert important possessions at crunch time to pull off the outright upset, but they should give the Heat another scare.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: MIAMI 102 CHICAGO 100