The Miami Heat look to clinch the 8th seed tonight as the NBA Play-In Tournament continues. Entering this year, 10 seeds were 0-4 in the Play-In Tournament.
They are now 2-4 following the Bulls and Thunder wins to remain alive for the eight seed in their respective conferences.
Bulls vs Heat in 8th Seed Game 7 p.m. EDT TNT Heat -5.5; over/under is 209.5
The Bulls had the Heat’s number this season, winning all three of their matchups.
Head-to-Head This Season
Bulls Heat
Wins 3 0
Bulls Heat
PPG 114.0 103.3
FG pct 51% 45%
3-pt FG pct 43% 34%
Over the last four seasons, the Heat have alternated between deep postseason runs (Finals app in 2020, Conf Finals app in 2022) and quick exits (lost 1st Round in 2021, playing for the 8 seed on Friday).
Heat Last 4 Seasons Playoff Result
2022-23 Play-In game for 8 seed
2021-22 Lost Conf Finals
2020-21 Lost 1st Round
2019-20 Lost Finals
The Heat were the 1 seed in last year’s playoffs and are now fighting for the 8 seed. If they advance, they would be the third team to be a 1 seed and then an 8 seed the following season.
The Heat have been the 8 seed three times in franchise history, most recently in 1996. They were swept in two of the previous three instances by Michael Jordan’s Bulls.
The Bulls have been the 8 seed four times in franchise history, most recently in 2017. That year they won the first two games of the series before losing four straight to lose the series.
That was the second - and most recent time –an 8 seed took a 2-0 series lead against a 1 seed in the 1st Round.
A Miami Win Means They Play #1 Seed Milwaukee
Eight seeds are 5-73 against 1 seeds in the 1st Round since the playoffs expanded in 1984. An 8 seed hasn’t beaten a 1 seed since the 76ers beat the Bulls in 2012.
This is the third time the Bucks are the 1 seed under Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mike Budenholzer. They lost just one game in the 1st Round the previous two times they were the 1 seed.
The Heat and Bucks have met in the playoffs three times. None of their meetings have gone past five games.
Heat vs Bucks in Playoffs
Winner Result
2021 1st Round Bucks 4-0
2020 Conf Semis Heat 4-1
2013 1st Round Heat 4-0
More on this later today on Shemon and Sheppard 2-6pm.
