Tonight’s matchup: Rising Heat looking for seventh consecutive victory over Nets
BROOKLYN NETS at MIAMI HEAT
When: Friday, 8 p.m.
Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami
TV/Radio: Fox Sports Sun/WAXY 790AM, WAQI 710AM (Spanish)
Records: Miami 18-16, Brooklyn 12-22
Line: Miami is favored by 6.5 points.
Miami’s Bam Adebayo splits two members of the the Brooklyn Nets in the Heat’s victory in in Mexico City. (Carlos Tischler/Sipa USA/TNS)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Heat
F: Josh Richardson
F: Kelly Olynyk
C: Hassan Whiteside
G: Tyler Johnson
G: Goran Dragic
Nets
F: DeMarre Carroll
F: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
C: Tyler Zeller
G: Allan Crabbe
G: Spencer Dinwiddie
Scouting report: The Heat defeated the Nets in their only other meeting this season, 101-89, three weeks ago in Mexico City. Miami has won six straight and 11-of-12 against Brooklyn. … The Nets have lost 7-of-8 and are 5-12 on the road. … Brooklyn is the fourth worst defensive in the league, allowing 110.7 points per game. … The Nets bench scored 80 points in their last game, a 128-113 loss at New Orleans. … The Nets are without guards Jeremy Lin (knee) and D’Angelo Russell (knee). … Miami still is missing Dion Waiters (sprained left ankle), Justise Winslow (strained left knee), James Johnson (right ankle bursitis), Rodney McGruder (left tibia surgery) and Okaro White (left foot surgery). … Miami has won 7-of-10, averaging 110.5 points while shooting .475 and giving up 95.4 points on .441 shooting during the 10 games. … Josh Richardson is averaging 17.8 points and shooting 47.5 percent from three-point range in December
[Hassan Whiteside, the facilitator? He may have to accept that role to adjust to new Heat offense]
[Fewer practices, no problem for Miami Heat]
[Sixth man Tyler Johnson making most of opportunity as Heat starter]
[Heat have (big) problem: How will Erik Spoelstra handle crowded power rotation?]
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Hassan Whiteside, the facilitator? He may have to accept that role to adjust to new Heat offense 
Rookie Derrick Walton Jr. is running out of NBA days on his two-way contract 