While the Phoenix Suns continue to run away in the Western Conference, the battle in the East resembles an old-fashioned WWE royal rumble, with the top six teams within five games of the No. 1 seed. The two squads atop the Eastern Conference standings highlight the Monday NBA odds menu, as the Chicago Bulls visit the Miami Heat.
Miami sports the NBA’s fourth-best record and is the top dog in the East, one game ahead of the Bulls. A big reason for the Heat’s slim edge? They’ve taken both meetings from Chicago this season.
Both teams come into this showdown on a roll. However, both are missing key contributors. So which side has the advantage in South Beach tonight? Props.com looks into Monday NBA betting odds, including analysis on a cross-conference clash between the Timberwolves and Cavaliers.
Odds via WynnBet and updated as of 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 28.
Chicago Bulls Vs Miami Heat
Tipoff/TV: 7:40 p.m. ET/NBA League Pass
Bulls: 39-22 SU/36-24-1 ATS
Heat: 40-21 SU/34-26-1 ATS
Spread/Total: Heat -4.5/222
Last meeting: Despite playing without perennial All-Star Jimmy Butler, Miami blasted the Bulls 118-92 as a 1.5-point home underdog (Dec. 11, 2021)
Did you know: Chicago sports the third-best ATS record in the NBA, while the Heat are sixth. Also, 37 of Miami’s 61 games have gone Over the total, tied with Minnesota for most Overs in the league
About Chicago: The Bulls’ six-game winning streak ended Saturday in a 116-111 home loss to the Grizzlies as 2.5-point underdogs. Despite continuing to play without guards Lonzo Ball (knee) and Alex Caruso (wrist), Chicago has scored 110-plus points in 14 of its last 16 games, including 120 or more 10 times. The offensive catalyst? All-Star swingman and MVP candidate DeMar DeRozan, who has scored 30-plus points in 10 consecutive games. Defensively, though, the Bulls have surrendered 111 or more in 10 of their last 14.
About Miami: The Heat won their third in a row Saturday, edging San Antonio 133-129 but coming up way short as a 13-point home favorite. Miami is 8-1 SU/5-3-1 ATS since Feb. 3, averaging 115.4 points per game in those eight wins. The Heat own the fourth-best home record in the NBA at 20-7, but they’re just 14-13 ATS. Miami, averaging 110.7 ppg at home, has split its last four games in South Beach, going 0-4 ATS along the way. Jimmy Butler leads the Heat with 21.9 ppg, but tonight he’ll be without sidekick Kyle Lowry (personal reasons). Small forward Caleb Martin (Achilles) is questionable. Lowry and Martin average 13.4 ppg and 9.2 ppg, respectively.
Notable Trends
- Chicago is 6-2 ATS in its last eight overall
- Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last five as an underdog
- Miami is 1-3-1 ATS in its last five overall (all as a favorite)
- Miami is 0-5 ATS in its last five at home
- Over is 4-1 in Chicago’s last five on the road
- Over is 6-1 in Miami’s last seven at home
- Miami is 8-2 SU/7-3 ATS in its last 10 vs. Chicago
- Over is 6-1 ATS in the last seven head-to-head clashes (4-0 last four)
Chicago Bulls Vs Miami Heat Odds and Action
UPDATE 6 P.M. ET: Miami opened as a 4.5-point chalk in WynnBet’s Monday NBA odd market, and the Heat are currently -4.5, 90 minutes before tipoff. Ticket count is almost even, with 52% on the Bulls, while the Heat are taking 62% of money. The total tumbled from 226 to 222, with the Over seeing 71% of tickets/56% of money.
Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Tipoff/TV: 7:10 p.m. ET/NBA League Pass
Timberwolves: 32-29 SU/30-29-2 ATS
Cavaliers: 36-24/34-24-2 ATS
Spread/Total: Timberwolves -3.5/218.5
Last meeting: Cleveland went to Minneapolis and dumped the TWolves 123-106 as a 2-point road favorite (Dec. 10, 2021)
Did you know: The Cavaliers have the fourth-best ATS record in the NBA, and they’ve played the second most Unders (22-37 Over/Under record)
About Minnesota: The Timberwolves were bulldozed by James Harden, Joel Embiid, and the 76ers on Friday, losing 133-102 as a 2.5-point home chalk. It was the third time in the last seven games that Minnesota gave up more than 130 points. Despite being limited to 102 and 91 points in its last two defeats, Minnesota still has scored 118 points or more in 11 of its last 14 games.
About Cleveland: The Cavaliers halted a three-game SU losing streak with Saturday’s 92-86 victory over Washington. However, they came up short as 8.5-point home faves, their fourth consecutive ATS setback. Cleveland has the fifth-worst scoring offense in the NBA (105.0 ppg), but leads the league in scoring defense (102.3 ppg allowed). Point guard Darius Garland, who leads the Cavs in scoring (20.3 points per game) and assists (8.0 per game), will sit out his third straight contest with a back injury.
Notable Trends
- Minnesota is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine as a favorite
- Minnesota is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 on the road
- Cleveland is 13-6-1 ATS in its last 20 at home
- Cleveland is 19-9 ATS in its last 28 as an underdog
- Over is 12-2 in Minnesota’s last 14 on the road (6-0 last six)
- Under is 9-0 in Cleveland’s last nine at home
- Minnesota is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 trips to Cleveland
- Over is 9-4 in the last 13 series meetings
Minnesota Timberwolves Vs Cleveland Cavaliers Odds and Action
UPDATE 6 P.M. ET: An hour before game time, Minnesota is a 3.5-point favorite at WynnBet, after opening -1.5. Ticket count is just shy of 2/1 and money beyond 4/1 on the Timberwolves. The total fell from 219.5 to 218.5, although ticket count is almost 4/1 and money 2/1 on the Over.
