Story byAndrew CaleyThu, January 8, 2026 at 5:45 PM UTC·3 min readThe Miami Heat and cook up opponents with their high tempo, and next on the list is the Chicago Bulls. My Heat vs. Bulls predictions explain why Chicago won’t be able to slow down Miami in this Eastern Conference clash. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo, check out my NBA picks, which include my best bet and SGP for this matchup set to tip off at the United Center on Thursday, January 8. Heat vs Bulls predictionHeat vs Bulls best bet: Heat Team Total Over 122.5 (-115)Take away two recent matchups with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Miami Heat have been playing really good basketball lately. Outside of those two losses, the Heat are 5-0 SU/ATS in five games since Boxing Day, and the offense has been humming, thanks in large part to a white-hot Norman Powell. And I’m betting they don’t slow down in this matchup against the Chicago Bulls. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMiami plays at the highest pace and takes the most shots per game in the NBA. They have averaged 120.3 points per game over the last nine games, topping 125 or more five times during that stretch. The Bulls play at the third-highest pace, rank 25th in defensive rating, and gave up 143 points to the Heat in a meeting back in November. The Heat stay hot and go Over their team total of 122.5. Heat vs Bulls same-game parlayAs noted, Norm Powell has been on fire, averaging 26.4 points while shooting a ridiculous 47.4% from 3-point range over his last seven games, having topped 22.5 points five times over the last seven games.
