The NBA Play-In Tournament is heating up as the Miami Heat prepare to face off against the Chicago Bulls in a crucial matchup on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This do-or-die battle will take place in Chicago, where the tenth-seeded Heat (37-45) will look to upset the ninth-seeded Bulls (39-43). The stakes are high, as the winner will advance to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, while the losing team will see their season come to an abrupt end.
The Heat enter this contest as two-point underdogs, with the over/under set at 220 points. Miami's success in this pivotal game may hinge on the performance of Tyler Herro, who has been a standout player for the team this season. Herro, in his sixth year, has enjoyed a breakout campaign, averaging 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. His scoring prowess has been especially crucial following the midseason trade of Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors.
Herro has been particularly lethal from beyond the arc, converting 37.5% of his three-point attempts this season. However, he faces a formidable challenge against a Bulls team that excels at defending the perimeter. Chicago has held opponents to a mere 34.4% shooting from three-point range, which is the second-lowest rate in the NBA. In fact, this statistic has dropped even further to 28.8% over the last three games, including a recent matchup against the Heat on April 9.
In three meetings with the Bulls this season, Herro has struggled from long distance, shooting just 7-for-25 (28.0%). With Chicago playing at the NBA’s second-fastest pace (103.61), the potential for a high-scoring affair is there, but Herro's recent shooting woes raise questions about his effectiveness. As the game approaches, many bettors are considering whether to fade Miami’s leading scorer.
In addition to Herro, other players are stepping into the spotlight during this critical stretch. For instance, the Underdog Fantasy NBA Picks highlight Herro's potential to exceed 41.65 fantasy points in this game, suggesting he will play significant minutes. Just three games ago, Herro dropped 30 points against the Bulls while logging 35 minutes on the court. With Chicago missing key perimeter defenders like Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu, the opportunity for Herro to shine is evident.
Meanwhile, Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings is also drawing attention as a promising player for fantasy picks. With Malik Monk and Jake LaRavia sidelined, Ellis is expected to play substantial minutes, making his prop bet of higher than 14.5 points, rebounds, and assists an intriguing option for bettors.
As the game unfolds, fans will be glued to their screens, eager to see if Tyler Herro can rise to the occasion and lead the Heat to victory in this critical playoff matchup. With the stakes at an all-time high, both teams will leave it all on the court, knowing that their season hangs in the balance.
