The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat will meet on March 8 for the second time this season. The Bulls won the first meeting just over a month ago, 133-124. Chicago rookie Matas Buzelis led the way, scoring 24 points, while going a perfect 10-of-10 from the field.
Following Buzelis's impressive outing against Miami, Head Coach Billy Donovan inserted him into the starting lineup and hasn't looked back. Since scorching the Heat, Buzelis has averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Fellow starter Josh Giddey also impressed in Chicago's last contest versus Miami. The 6-foot-8 guard dropped 24 points, his second of six 20-point games in February.
Chicago likely to be without three key contributors
Buzelis and Giddey will lead the charge against the Heat, alongside Coby White, who dropped a career-high 44 points against the Orlando Magic on March 6. However, the Bulls will miss their leading scorer and rebounder Nikola Vucevic and Patrick Williams, who reached double figures in the scoring column against the Heat in early February. Furthermore, another starter, Lonzo Ball, is slated to miss his fourth straight game as he nurses a wrist sprain.
Although Ball, Vucevic, and Williams are expected to sit out the Bulls' second of two games in the Sunshine State, it's worth noting all three players have been deemed doubtful instead of out. Williams appears to be nearing a return to action for the first time post-All-Star break.
The Heat's injury report rivals the Bulls. Fortunately for Miami, most players included on the report are expected to suit up against Chicago. The Heat list one player as out, two as questionable, and two as probable. Thus, most of Miami's rotation will be available against the Bulls.
Miami's injury report is lengthy, albeit insignificant
Despite the lack of serious injury concerns, the Heat are playing on the second night of a back-to-back and missed three players: Alec Burks, Kel'el Ware, and Andrew Wiggins, last night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ware has been upgraded to probable, while Burks and Wiggins are game-time decisions.
The lone remaining injury designation worth mentioning is leading scorer Tyler Herro. The All-Star isn't necessarily dealing with an injury as much as an illness. Nevertheless, his status is probable ahead of Miami's matchup with Chicago.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Doubtful: Lonzo Ball (Right Wrist Sprain), Nikola Vucevic (Right Calf Strain), Patrick Williams (Right Quadricep Tendinosis).
Probable: Talen Horton-Tucker (Right Ankle Sprain), Coby White (Right Toe Sesamoiditis).
Miami Heat
Out: Nikola Jovic (Right Hand Fracture).
Questionable: Alec Burks (Lower Back Pain), Andrew Wiggins (Right Ankle Sprain).
Probable: Tyler Herro (Illness), Kel'el Ware (Left Knee Sprain).