The Chicago Bulls could inch closer to securing the best record in the league while locking up the number one seed with a win against the second best team in the Eastern Conference.
Whether they might actually want to secure the number one seed is another story.
Holding the best record in the league, the Chicago Bulls (44-14) play host at the United Center to the visiting Miami Heat in Thursday’s best game on TNT.
The two teams split the first two games of the season, with each team winning on their home court.
Interestingly, Chicago lost the first game with Derrick Rose on the court, but won the second game in his absence. Such was also the case in its most recent games against the Knicks.
The team is 16-7 without its reigning MVP, who is officially listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s contest, though all signs indicate that he will play.
Miami (40-16) also seems to play pretty well without its superstar Dwyane Wade — the team is 10-1 with him out of the lineup.
Wade hopes to regain his touch against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Nursing various injuries, he has shot just 40.5 percent over the last four games.
The Heat trail the Bulls by three games in the standings but still have a chance to catch up. A victory in tonight’s showdown would put them within two games, and the teams face off for the final time next Thursday, April 19.
Both teams have two two of the easier remaining schedules.
The Heat look to shore up the defense after giving up 115 points – the second highest total allowed this season – in their most recent loss against the Celtics.
LeBron James hopes to continue his domination against Chicago. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, if James scores at least 35 points tonight, it would be the first time in 39 years someone scored 35 or more in three straight games against Chicago.
Chris Bosh has seen his game dip to a new low in April, averaging 14.5 points on 38.6% shooting along with 7.3 rebounds.
Miami is undefeated when they play on Thursdays, winning all five previous contests.