The Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls Play-In Tournament matchup will be a battle between two of the very best scorers in the NBA, Zach LaVine and Jimmy Butler. DraftKings Sportsbook is letting fans get some value ahead of clash of superstars, setting up a profit boost on the head-to-head scoring prop. Using OddsShopper tools, let’s take a look at the Jimmy Butler-Zach LaVine matchup and see which player has a better chance to score more points.
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Jimmy Butler-Zach LaVine Projections for Heat-Bulls Play-In
Jimmy Butler has developed a reputation as a big game player, and the Heat will undoubtedly lean on his scoring ability in the win-or-go-home play-in game. Butler averaged 22.9 points per game during the regular season but has been on a scorcher of late. He averaged 28.7 points per game in the three April games before dropping 21 in the 116-105 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the first play-in game.
For the Bulls, it was the Zach LaVine show in the upset win over the Toronto Raptors in the first round. After scoring just nine points in the first half, LaVine found his aggressive nature, scoring 30 second half points to lead the team to a 109-105 win and set up the date with Butler’s Heat.
“What he did going into the third quarter and into the fourth, it would have been very, very difficult for us to have won that game if he had not done that,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said about LaVine, per ESPN. “His performance was extraordinary. It gave us life and it gave us hope.”
Sportsbooks have listed the over/under on both LaVine and Butler at around 26.5 points (depending on what book you look at). OddsShopper Premium has Butler at a 51% chance to get the over 26.5, with LaVine at just 49% to get over the same total. In the Raptors win, LaVine recognized that DeMar DeRozan was getting double-teamed, and he would have to be the aggressor.
Expect the Heat to have a better plan for LaVine, making the Butler head-to-head prop a slightly better play for those looking to take advantage of the value at DraftKings.
Bettors should also be sure to check out OddsShopper tools throughout the NBA Playoffs to find the best value!
