Heat Vs. Bulls: Eastern Conference Finals Series Prediction

The Miami Heat had a tumultuous regular season to say the least, but they nonetheless find themselves on the brink of a possible trip to the NBA Finals.

Standing in the Heat's way is a matchup with the Chicago Bulls, the number one seed led by league MVP Derrick Rose. Many are making predictions of a Heat Eastern Conference Finals victory but Chicago has a big advantage at the point guard spot.

The Heat might have to put Dwyane Wade on Rose for a while to see how it works, even though Wade can be a bit inconsistent on defense. Miami also lacks shot-blockers inside and Rose is one of the best in the business at scoring points in the paint, even as a point guard. That gives the Bulls a big chance to win this series.

Chicago is at its best when Rose is attacking and creating opportunities for the other players and that's exactly what he'll have the opportunity to do in this series.

On Miami's side of things, LeBron James appears to be taking a big role and a big leadership responsibility on his shoulders in recent games. The Bulls are an athletic, versatile, younger team however and he will face tougher sledding than he did against Boston.

The x-factor in this series will be Chris Bosh. He is going to have his hands full with Carlos Boozer down low along with Joakim Noah. Even with turf toe, Boozer is way too strong and assertive for Bosh, who has lost confidence.

This will be a close series all the way through, but in the end, the prediction here for the Eastern Conference Finals is that that the Bulls will rise to the occasion and win a close one. They have the home court advantage, they have a big edge in the post, and they have a much better bench than a Heat team that still is comprised of too many spare parts and aged veterans.

Go with the Bulls in this one as Rose proves why he deserves the MVP while James and Wade have a hard time distributing shots in the clutch.

Heat vs. Bulls series prediction: Bulls win in seven games.