NBA Opening night Preview: Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls

On opening night, while the Miami Heat receive their championship rings, a symbol of last season’s accomplishment, Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls will visit the American Airlines Center in what will turn out to be the most exciting game of day one on the NBA calendar.

They faced each other twice earlier in the Playoffs when Derrick Rose has been fit, in the Conference Finals in Rose’s MVP season which the Heat clinched in 5 games. So although he has already done it, Rose would look to announce his return with an excellent game against the two time defending champions, meanwhile the rest of the Bulls team would be keen to avenge a second round loss to the Heat in the Playoffs last season.

Derrick Rose would be keen to put on a show when he suits up for his first regular season game in more than a year and a half.

Heat fans have nothing to worry though, simply because they have the best player on the planet in LeBron James on their roster. Anyways, the Miami Heat will not be short of motivation either to make a statement. With a victory over a healthy and talented Bulls teams, they would send a message to all the teams that they are not ready to relinquish their throne.

We all know how good the Miami Heat is and despite Miller being waived by the Miami Heat via the amnesty clause, they have their core players intact and healthy for another championship run. Being the defending champs they would not be too concerned with their pre-season record, believing that they can peak at the right time

The Bulls are not far behind, they went through the three weeks of pre-season unbeaten and except the game against the Washington Wizards which Rose sat out due to soreness in his surgically repaired he has averaged 20.7 points, 5.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 27.4 minutes over seven games.

That being said if either loses the game they have no one to blame but themselves.

Where Heat could lose the ball game?

-It has happened to every champion, to be a tad rusty and slow on opening night. But the Heat cannot afford that, they have to be alert and on their feet against the Bulls who are at present in streaky form and could run away with the game given a chance.

They could be blown out of their own building if Derrick Rose gets going and nobody supporting the Heat would want that. Rose has returned from injury, faster, more explosive, more efficient and his successful rehab has been on full display all through the pre-season.

-The front court duo of Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer could be lethal against the heat that lacks the skill and size in the front court. Despite acquiring the 2007 Draft’s No.1 overall pick in Greg Oden, Noah’s play making ability, rebounding and shot blocking along with Boozer’s excellent mid-range game is effective strategy the Bulls could utilize to take the game away from the Heat.

They need their back- court along with LeBron James to play at top of their game in order to make for what they lack in the front court.

Where the Bulls could lose the game?

-The players Bulls would look to play as their primary rotation have not played a lot of minutes together in the pre-season as Joakim Noah was out for a week with a groin injury. The starting 5 of the Bulls now and before Rose was injured are the same barring the shooting guard position.

There quite a few new players on the bench and Jimmy Butler on the starting line-up (most likely) who have not played quality minutes along with Rose on the floor since his return. So except some miscommunications and misunderstandings!

Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are the major reason behind the Miami Heat being excellent scoring in transition off opponent’s turnovers

-This is where Bulls can really lose to the Miami Heat, not just today but any match the two teams play. The Heat is excellent at scoring points in the open court off opponent’s turnovers and to make matters worse the Chicago Bulls has one of the worst transition defenses in the league.

Although the reason for that is their excellent offensive rebounding numbers but if they are to win the game they need to minimize the number of turnovers be effective at grabbing rebounds on the offensive glass and let the Miami get the ball in transition.

Final Word:

Now I’m not a featured analyst or a featured writer but I could be sure of the fact that for any analyst out there whether he is part of TNT team, ESPN team or the team from NBA.com it’s going to be no piece of cake choosing sides on this one.

It is an extremely competitive game and certainly the most entertaining one to look forward among the other games on opening night.

Well no matter how tough, you got to pick a side at the end of the day. I have been fair to both teams while presenting the analysis but my heart is slightly inclined towards a Chicago Bulls victory and a fairytale return to regular season for Derrick Rose.

I bet a lot of you Heat fans would complain or argue over my decision, but it’s just my opinion and what my gut wants. It’s not what is going to happen!