The Miami Heat are back on their home floor tonight, hosting the Chicago Bulls in the second of a three-game mini-series between the two squads. Miami has already taken the first two meetings this season, and with both teams dealing with a laundry list of injuries, this one will be about who can dig deeper into their rotation and still find cohesion.
Let’s break down what to watch for as the Heat look to stay perfect against Chicago this year.
Injury Report: Depth Will Be Tested
The Bulls are coming in severely shorthanded. Zach Collins (toe), Noa Essengue (shoulder), Josh Giddey (hamstring), Tre Jones (hamstring), Nikola Vucevic (rest), Jalen Smith (calf), and Coby White (calf) are all sidelined. That’s a significant chunk of their rotation, including their primary big man in Vucevic and one of their more dynamic guards in White.
Miami isn’t exactly at full strength either. Tyler Herro is out with a rib injury, Davion Mitchell is nursing a shoulder issue, Norman Powell is away from the team for personal reasons, and Terry Rozier is also not with the squad. That’s a lot of offensive firepower and veteran experience missing for the Heat.
Starting Lineups: Youth Movement in Full Swing
With so many regulars unavailable, both teams are leaning heavily on young talent and role players.
Chicago’s starting five:
- Ayo Dosunmu (G)
- Kevin Huerter (G)
- Isaac Okoro (F)
- Matas Buzelis (F)
- Patrick Williams (F)
This group is long, athletic, and defensive-minded, but the question is where the scoring will come from. Dosunmu and Huerter can get hot from the perimeter, and Buzelis, the rookie forward, has shown flashes of why he was such a highly touted prospect. But without a true center and with limited shot creation, the Bulls will need to be scrappy and opportunistic.
Miami’s starting five:
- Kasparas Jakucionis (G)
- Pelle Larsson (G)
- Myron Gardner (F/G)
- Andrew Wiggins (F)
- Bam Adebayo (C)
This Heat lineup is intriguing. Adebayo anchors the defense and will be the focal point on both ends.
Wiggins, still working his way into rhythm, brings experience and length on the wing. Jakucionis and Larsson in the backcourt provide ball movement and spacing, while Gardner adds versatility as a hybrid forward.
Expect Miami to run a lot of offense through Bam at the elbow and use Wiggins as a secondary creator. The guards will need to knock down open looks and keep the ball moving to avoid stagnation.
Key Matchup: Bam Adebayo vs. Chicago’s Undersized Frontcourt
With Vucevic and Smith out, Chicago doesn’t have a traditional center to match up with Adebayo. That could spell trouble.
Bam has the skill set to punish mismatches, whether it’s facing up from the mid-post or rolling hard to the rim. Expect Miami to feed him early and often.
On the flip side, the Bulls may try to counter with speed and spacing, forcing Bam to defend in space and testing Miami’s transition defense. But if Bam controls the paint and stays out of foul trouble, the Heat should have a clear advantage inside.
X-Factor: Andrew Wiggins
Wiggins has the ability to be a stabilizing force for Miami, especially in a game like this where so many key players are out. His ability to guard multiple positions, create off the dribble, and hit timely shots could be the difference. If he finds a rhythm early, it’ll open up the floor for everyone else.
Tipoff and Broadcast Info
When: 8:00 PM EST
Where to Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
Listen: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
En Español: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
With both teams looking to navigate the injury bug, this matchup is a test of depth, coaching, and execution. Miami has the edge in continuity and star power with Bam Adebayo, but don’t count out a young, hungry Bulls squad looking to steal one on the road.
Let’s see who steps up.