The set-up: The 40-35 Miami Heat are almost assured a playoff spot, as they are 5 1/2 games clear of the 9th-seeded Pistons with just seven games left to play (Detroit has eight left). They currently own the No. 7 seed but are just a half-game ahead of the Bucks, who like the Pistons, have eight games remaining. The Heat are coming off a dramatic 98-79 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday and are expected to have center Hassan Whitesideback in the lineup when they host the struggling Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Whiteside (14.7 & 11.8) has missed the past nine games due to a hip flexor and he is expected to be cleared in the hours prior to tip-off. Chicago is 24-50 and comes in off six straight losses by an average of 20.5 PPG.

Chicago: The Bulls have been without two of their top-three scorers in shooting guard Zach LaVine (16.7 PPG in 24 games) and PG Kris Dunn (13.4-4.3-6.0), because of knee and toe injuries, respectively. However, the Bulls still have five other players in double digits, led by 7-0 rookie Markkanen (14.9 & 7.5). Markkanen displayed he is moving forward after his recent back issues, scoring 22 points in 28 minutes during Tuesday's 118-86 loss to the Houston Rockets. However, Chicago didn't have many other bright spots to boast about as it committed 19 turnovers and went 8-of-37 from three-point range while being no match for the powerful Rockets. Chicago is allowing 110.2 PPG (27th) on the season.

Miami: The Heat were without their top two centers Tuesday against Cleveland but both could return to face Chicago. Starting center Hassan Whiteside is expected back from his hip injury and backup Bam Adebayo (7.0 & 5.6) could play through a sprained ankle. Whiteside's interior presence has been missed but Miami has gone 5-4 without him. PG Dragic (17.4-4.3-6.0) has led the team in scoring all season and the return of Dwayne Wade (13.1 PPG in 15 games with the Heat), has been huge.

The pick: The really good news for Miami is that the team has a favorable schedule down the stretch. The Heat have the Bulls tonight, the 24-51 Nets, back-to-back with the 21-54 Hawks and the 27-49 Knicks lined up for the next five games. Kelly Olynyk (11.5 & 5.7) has played well during Whitehead's absence and is averaging 17.4 points over the past seven games, after scoring a team-best 19 against the Cavaliers. I mentioned Chicago's poor defense earlier and will add here that they are allowing 113.1 PPG on the road, where they are just 9-28 SU. Make the Over a 10* play.