|
 Chicago gave up an average of 117.5 points in back-to-back losses to
Golden State and Boston before rising to the level of its
competition in a 96-83 win over the Eastern Conference-leading
Cavaliers. “I wish I could put a finger on it, but I can’t,” Bulls
point guard Derrick Rose told reporters of the team’s inconsistency.
“That’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I really
can’t put a finger on it.” The Heat are battling some consistency
issues in terms of playing time as a series of injuries has pushed
players in and out of the lineup. Miami dressed only nine players
for a 101-81 loss at the Toronto Raptors on Friday that marked its
fourth straight setback.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Miami), CSN Chicago
ABOUT THE HEAT (23-21): Dwyane Wade (shoulder) missed two of the
last five games and returned on Friday and managed 22 points, but
Chris Bosh (26 points) was the only other player to score in double
figures as Miami failed to reach 90 points for the fourth straight
game. The Heat have played that entire stretch without a true point
guard, as both Beno Udrih (neck) and Goran Dragic (calf) sat out.
Udrih is considered day-to-day while Dragic is not expected back
until later in the week.
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ABOUT THE BULLS (25-18): Chicago held the Cavaliers to 37.2 percent
from the field on Saturday and feels good about its efforts against
top contenders. “You take away Golden State (which trounced Chicago
125-94 on Wednesday), we’re 8-0 against the other 2-through-6 in the
league,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters. “I told our guys,
we say this all the time, ‘this is one you can build off of, and if
you can go out there and play with that type of intensity, you’re
going to give yourself a chance night in and night out.’” Chicago
will need to carry that intensity on the road when it begins a
seven-game trip after finishing up with the Heat.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Heat C Hassan Whiteside (hip) sat out Friday and remains
day-to-day.
2. Bulls C Pau Gasol recorded back-to-back double-doubles after
being held to one point and eight boards by the Warriors.
3. Whiteside recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds
and 12 blocks in Miami’s last trip to Chicago – a 96-84 win on Jan.
25, 2015.
PREDICTION: Bulls 92, Heat 83
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