Bulls vs. Heat Wednesday NBA injury report, odds: Spread jumps with All-Star Zach LaVine unexpectedly out

The Chicago Bulls were one of the Eastern Conference's best teams for the first few months of the 2021-22 season, but injuries all but wrecked their season. They ended up as the East's sixth seed and were easily ousted in Round 1 of the playoffs by Milwaukee. The Bulls seems to be picking up right where they left off as they visits Miami in the season opener for both teams tonight, as Chicago will be without All-Star Zach LaVine. Lonzo Ball, who will miss months, is also out – but we already knew that, as his injury was the crusher last year. The Heat have risen from 5.5 to 7.5-point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook with the LaVine news.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a player ruled out due to load management on opening night, but that's what the Bulls are saying about LaVine, who averaged 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists last year. To be specific, the team is calling it "knee management."

LaVine was limited to 67 games last year due to knee issues and eventually needed arthroscopic surgery during the offseason -- the team still gave him a five-year max worth about $215 million. If this were the front end of a back-to-back, maybe it makes sense, but the Bulls don't play again until Friday at Washington. LaVine isn't likely to play there, either, but should be available for the home opener Saturday vs. Cleveland.

Chicago was set at over/under 41.5 wins this year and if LaVine is going to miss at least 15 games or so with this type of issue, Over bettors might be in trouble – although last season the team was 9-6 without him, with DeMar DeRozan usually going nuclear on those nights. DeRozan is set at over/under 26.5 points tonight and looked great in the preseason.

Miami's last game that counted was a 100-96 home loss to Boston in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Pretty much everyone is back other than glue guy PJ Tucker, but this is an aging roster that might have seen its window close. Tyler Herro, the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year, will start this year. Victor Oladipo, expected to be a key reserve, is out tonight with a left knee injury.

The Heat have won five straight against the Bulls and only one of the four last year was close.

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