Chicago at Miami

Chicago will be without Lonzo Ball to start the new season. That's significant as last season they were 27-13 with him, then had a losing record after he was lost with a knee injury. The Bulls won just eight games after the All-Star break and couldn't step up against the big boys, losing 14 of 15 against the top four teams in the East. Miami is on a 56-42 spread run and returns most of the roster than came within a 3-pointer of making the NBA Finals. The Heat play great defense, fourth in the NBA last year in points allowed and field goal defense, plus second at defending beyond the arc. By contrast, Chicago was #16 in points surrendered, #26 in field goal defense, and #27 in 3-point defense. Chicago has failed to cover the last four meetings with Miami, losing all four to the Heat last year by scores of 107-104, 127-109, 112-99, and 118-92. Play Miami.