Heat Vs. Bulls, NBA Playoff Predictions: Will Chicago Move On, Or Can Miami Triumph?

The Chicago Bulls had just advanced to their first Eastern Conference Finals since Michael Jordan was their star, and their current star’s face looked like one he’d have in a game in mid-February. As the Bulls polished off a 93-73 win over the Atlanta Hawks, Derrick Rose’s expression was blank. He strolled to shake the Hawks’ players hands, keeping the same poker face on that he plays with every minute of every game. It was so blank that when he went over to ESPN’s Lisa Salters for the requisite postgame interview, Salters’ first question was simple.

“Where was the big celebration?”

It’s Miami’s poise and offensive execution against Boston that has me picking the Heat in seven over the Bulls. After a season’s worth of late-game failures due to out-of-rhythm, isolation-created jumpers, Miami committed itself to penetration and resulting drive-and-kick opportunities against the Celtics.

Uh, can I change my pick?

Be sure to check out our full Heat vs. Bulls hub for full series coverage. For more on the Bulls, visit Blog a Bull and SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Heat, visit Peninsula Is Mightier.