Tonight’s matchup: Hassan Whiteside returns, James Johnson not expected to play as Heat look to snap 3-game skid against Bulls

November 1, 2017

| Filed in: 2017-18 season, Chicago Bulls, Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, Tom D'Angelo

CHICAGO BULLS VS. MIAMI HEAT

When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Sun/WAXY 790AM, WAQI 710AM (Spanish)

Records: Chicago 1-4, Miami 2-4

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS

Bulls

F: Paul Zipser

F: Lauri Markkanen

C: Robin Lopez

G: Justin Holiday

G: Jerian Grant

Heat

F: Okaro White

F: Josh Richardson

C: Hassan Whiteside

G: Dion Waiters

G: Goran Dragic

Scouting report: The Heat will have Hassan Whiteside back in the lineup but probably will not have James Johnson’s services.  Johnson has right knee tendinitis and will be available if needed but is not expected to play. Whiteside has missed five consecutive games since bruising a bone in his left knee in the season opener at Orlando. After going through a full workout Wednesday morning, Whiteside will warm up prior to the game with the intention of playing. … Whiteside averaged 29.0 points and 14.0 rebounds against the Bulls last season while Goran Dragic averaged 17.7 points and 8.7 assists. … The Heat and Bulls finished 41-41 last season with Chicago claiming the final playoff spot by virtue of winning the season series 2-1. This season the Bulls are in full tank mode after trading Jimmy Butler during the summer and buying out Dwyane Wade’s contract. Chicago’s four losses have been by an average of 16.5 points including 101-69 to OKC on Saturday. … Chicago is last in the league in scoring (89.8 ppg), field goal percentage (.385) and offensive rating (91.0). … One bright spot has been rookie and No. 7 overall pick Lauri Markkanen who is averaging 15.6 points and 9.6 rebounds. … The Bulls are without Zach Levine (ACL), Nikola Mirotic (concussion), Cameron Payne (foot) and Bobby Portis (team suspension). …

[Turnovers are an issue, but Erik Spoelstra wants the Heat to stay ‘aggressive’ and not to play ‘passively’]

[Mailbag: Should Miami Heat make a play for disgruntled Suns guard Eric Bledsoe?]

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