The NBA postseason is finally here. The Play-In tournament will take place early in the week before the NBA Playoffs officially begin this weekend.
The Miami Heat (37-45) finished their season finished the regular season as the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference. They traded Jimmy Butler mid-season at the deadline and struggled to correct their course, slipping to the last possible postseason spot available.
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Now, they’ll face the Chicago Bulls in the No. 9 vs. No. 10 Play-In game on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN with the hopes of extending their season.
Apr 7, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Lonnie Walker IV (16) battle for possession during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Tickets: How to buy Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat NBA Play-In tickets
The winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game will face the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game with a chance to secure the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.
The loser of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup will be eliminated from the postseason.
Apr 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) reacts after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Heat are not strangers to the Play-In tournament. They’ve competed in it twice before in 2022 and 2023.
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In 2022, they finished the regular season as the No. 7 seed and defeated the Bulls in the Play-In game to advance to the postseason.
In 2023, they finished the regular season as the No. 7 seed again. They defeated the Bulls and advanced to the playoffs, making a run to the finals where they lost to the Denver Nuggets.
Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat matchup preview
Apr 5, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) looks on after losing possession on a traveling call in overtime at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The Heat went winless against the Bulls in the regular season with three losses in their three meetings.
Two of the matchups came after the Butler trade and the first matchup came just days before he was sent to the Warriors.
The Bulls also made a midseason trade, sending Zach Lavine to the Sacramento Kings and fully committing to their youth movement.
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) celebrates after hitting a game-winning three pointer as time expired against the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
They start Josh Giddey and Coby White in the backcourt with Kevin Huerter and impressive rookie Matas Buzelis on the wings. Nikola Vucevic holds down the paint for them.
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Giddey and White have found freedom this season and have stepped into a larger role with the team which has propelled them into the postseason again.
The Heat have deployed Tyler Herro and Alec Burks in their backcourt with Andrew Wiggins on the wing. Miami has found success in a two-big lineup with Bam Adebayo and rookie center Kel’el Ware.
Herro and Adebayo have led the Heat this season as many new faces have joined their ranks.
Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat prediction
Apr 5, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to shoot as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
The Heat had quite a turbulent season. Between the Butler Saga and the questions about “Heat Culture” they’ve struggled to consistently win this year.
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But experience pays at this time of the year and the Heat handily win that battle. This is a team who’s core was competing for an NBA championship less than three years ago.
I think the Heat will beat the Bulls and advance to the next Play-In game.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NBA Play-In tournament: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls prediction