When the Miami Heat take on the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals this week, they will begin the series as the heavy favorites.
Bulls vs. Heat, NBA Playoff odds 2013: Miami continues to be heavily favored
It’s tough to see any team slowing down LeBron, Wade and Bosh in the playoffs this year.
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The oddsmakers in Las Vegas have listed Miami at -950 for the series, with the Bulls coming in at +700. For those unfamiliar with betting lines, that means you would have to place $950 on the Heat in order to win $100. On the other hand, a $100 bet on the Bulls would mean a return of $700 should they win the series.
For Game 1, which is scheduled for Monday night in Miami, the Heat opened as 11 1/2 point favorites, according to Odds Shark. The over-under for points scored is 186.
As has been the case all season long, the Heat are currently listed as the team with the best odds of winning the NBA title at -210. The team with the second-best odds? The San Antonio Spurs at +440. The second-highest seeded team in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks, currently sit at +1700.
The major variable in this series will be health. Luol Deng missed Game 7 as the Bulls edged the Nets, while Kirk Hinrich has been dealing with a calf injury the past week. Derrick Rose, who is still recovering from tearing his ACL last April, has hinted that he may return for the series, although most think he won't suit up until next season.
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