(Photo via Getty Images)
Following a disappointing blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, the Miami Heat will seek another bounce back win against the Chicago Bulls to continue their road trip.
The Heat are now at a 20-17 record with the Bulls at 17-20. Miami is a half game out of the sixth seed and one full game back of fifth. They are 1-0 against Chicago so far this season.
Chicago is in a difficult stretch in which they’ve gone 3-7 over their last 10 games. They are also without their top player in Josh Giddey, as he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. This is a perfect matchup for the Heat to work through finding consistent rotations amid Tyler Herro’s recent return from injury. Herro dropped 17 points on 7 of 15 shooting in 29 minutes off the bench in his first game back from a 13-game absence in the Wolves loss.
Bam Adebayo will also attempt to get back on track. He has hit a recent offensive slump, and his scoring production and efficiency have dipped dramatically of late. Miami’s captain is averaging just 11.8 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 37% from the field and 25% from deep over his last nine outings.
Injury Report:
Chicago Bulls:
- Zach Collins (toe sprain) — OUT
- Noa Essengue (shoulder surgery) — OUT
- Josh Giddey (hamstring strain) — OUT
- Kevin Huerter (back) — OUT
- Jalen Smith (concussion) — OUT
- Yuki Kawamura (g-league) — OUT
Miami Heat:
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle) — AVAILABLE
- Vlad Goldin (g-league) — OUT
- Jahmir Young (g-league) — OUT
- Terry Rozier (not with team) — OUT
Starting 5:
Chicago Bulls:
- Tre Jones, G
- Coby White, G
- Isaac Okoro, F
- Matas Buzelis, F
- Nikola Vucevic, C
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Tyler Herro, G
- Norman Powell, G/F
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 8:00 PM EST
- TV: NBA TV & FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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The Heat are 6-12 against the league’s top 15 defenses and 14-5 against bottom five defenses. Chicago has the 25th ranked defense.
Bam has cracked 15 points only once over his last seven games. He hasn’t scored over 20 points in a game in 5 weeks (December 5th).
If Miami can trade for Giannis, it may be preferable to trade Bam rather than Ware.
That would leave:
Other trades to consider:
can a captain lose his captainship.couple more bum games im naming norm my captain
I might be a little distracted tonite. The U is in as big a game as it gets, until hopefully next week in Miami Gardens.
hfl, if you see this, are you going on their thread?. I can’t get on it for some reason. But, I will read your posts if you go on.
which thread canes or heat
Canes.
Man does Miami need Jaime’s energy, playmaking and scoring. I’m curious to see how he and Herro mesh on the second unit. If they don’t, I have a feeling Tyler won’t be around long. Jaime is definitely a keeper.
The next two games are absolutely must win games
canes next two
I was more scared of TA&M and OSU. Unlike the last two, at least Ole Miss has only about the same amount of blue chippers as us.
Then again, two Ohio State guys were bragging last week to me about how they weren’t too concerned about us. I don’t want to be that guy now.
indiana best team in country i believe.hope im wrong.just trying to tell it like it is 79 u grad