Tonight’s matchup: Rising Heat looking for seventh consecutive victory over Nets

December 29, 2017

| Filed in: 2017-18 season, Brooklyn Nets, Injuries, Tom D'Angelo, Wayne Ellington

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.

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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