Bulls coach Billy Donovan was talking about the Heat.
It easily could have been mistaken for a discussion about a single-minded predator.
‘‘The one thing I respect from afar, people can look at where organizations are at a particular time, but with them it’s only about one thing — winning,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘It doesn’t make a difference what their roster is, it’s all about winning. That’s always the focus. They’ve obviously gone through difficulties and challenges throughout the season, and they really weathered and are playing good basketball. It’s only about winning. It’s not about years later, the draft. They are worried about what’s in front of them now, and I really respect that.’’
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What’s directly in front of the Heat is a visit Wednesday to the United Center to face a Bulls team they haven’t beaten all season.
That’s exactly what has Donovan on guard. He knows ‘‘Heat culture’’ doesn’t care about recent history, point spreads or feel-good stories for the opposing team. The Heat’s no-nonsense, whatever-it-takes mentality has sent the Bulls home in the last two play-in tournaments.
And while Donovan has put together arguably his best season as the Bulls’ coach, the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra is in the discussion as one of the top three coaches in the NBA year after year.
Coaching advantage: Heat.
BACKCOURT
Josh Giddey (injured right hand) got in some light shooting Monday and was able to go through practice Tuesday. He will have one more opportunity to see how the injury is during the shootaround Wednesday, but it sounds like a pain-tolerance test for Giddey and one he has passed with flying colors in the last few weeks. Count him in.
Why is his health status so key?
Giddey has been a Heat killer all season, averaging 26 points, 10.3 rebounds and 10 assists in the three games against them. Add Coby White’s 20.3 points per game against the Heat, and the Bulls will go as far as their backcourt takes them.
The Heat have an All-Star guard in Tyler Herro, who has averaged just less than 25 points against the Bulls this season, but he also has been held to 28% shooting from three-point range. Spoelstra has played musical chairs with the other guard spot, with veteran Alec Burks getting a majority of the starts lately.
Kevin Huerter is a third guard in the Bulls’ starting lineup, which means Giddey will have to play big and guard forward Andrew Wiggins.
Backcourt advantage: BULLS.
FRONTCOURT
The Heat’s Bam Adebayo has been an All-Star, but his lack of consistency this season came under fire, especially in the first half.
Adebayo has taken on more responsibility since the Heat traded Jimmy Butler and has responded by averaging 23.8 points and shooting 56.5% from three-point range this month. That means Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic will have his hands full, whether he’s on Adebayo or gets switched to 7-foot rookie Kel’el Ware.
Vucevic won’t be alone up front, as rookie Matas Buzelis will have to grow up quickly. He has performed well against the Heat this season, averaging 18 points and shooting 57.1% from three, but the stakes never have been higher.
Wiggins might be the X-factor. He has a championship pedigree from his days with the Warriors and can take over a game.
Frontcourt advantage: Heat.
THE BENCH
It will be interesting to see whether Donovan shortens his rotation or keeps it the same because of the pace he wants to play.
The one danger for the Bulls is Heat sharpshooter Duncan Robinson. They have to make sure he doesn’t heat up from outside. Otherwise, Donovan simply has too many pieces to choose from.
Bench advantage: BULLS.
PREDICTION
Throw the three regular-season games out the window because the Heat are a different team at this time of year. But styles make the fight, and the Heat don’t do well against pace and have been questionable at best in the fourth quarter this season. Both are strengths of this Bulls team. Bulls, 118-115.
