Game preview for the Miami Heat vs the Chicago Bulls
Heat (33-26) vs Bulls (30-28)
Where: AmericanAirlines Arena – Miami, FL
When: Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 7:30 PM ET
Watch: NBA TV, FS-SUN, CSNC
The Miami Heat begin the month of March in first place of the Southeast Division, and fourth in the Eastern Conference, and you have to believe that is something they would have been thrilled with at the start of the season. Of course, the road to March has had several bumps along the way, as they’ve have nothing resembling a consistent three-point shooting threat, questions about Usage Rates, and battling the loss of Chris Bosh for what appears to be the remainder of the season. But make no mistake, being in the position they’re in is a success, and they’ve been able to pickup a reinforcement in the form of seven-time All-Star, Joe Johnson.
Much can’t be said for the Chicago Bulls, stumbling into Miami a broken mess, losers of seven of their last ten games and clinging to a playoff spot. Many believed (for whatever reason) that the Bulls would be the Cavaliers chief competition in the East. But injuries (shocking, I know) and inconsistent play (shocking, I know) have held Chicago back. All-Star Jimmy Butler is still out, as he’s nursing a knee injury, while Joakim Noah is lost for the season following shoulder surgery, and Nikola Mirotic is recovery from an appendectomy. Meanwhile, Derrick Rose is a game-time decision (shocking, I know) as he tries to work his way back from hamstring tendinitis.
After Tuesday’s game, the Heat play their next four games against sub-.500 teams, so now is the time for them to capitalize in hopes of assuring their place in the top four in the East.
Matchup to Watch: Hassan Whiteside vs. Pau Gasol
The one Bull that doesn’t seem to be effected by everything around him is Gasol, who is averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game, and is showing the rest of the league there’s still something left in his tank, as he plays for one last contract this summer.
Against him will be Whiteside, a luxury the Heat have as they’re the only team bringing an Imperial Star Destroyer off the bench. Since the All-Star Break, Whiteside has averages of just under 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game. While there’s no denying his talent, the criticism of Whiteside has always been his inability to guard outside the paint. But that has become something he’s done well since the break, holding his assignment to shooting 13% less than their season average in shots outside of 15 feet. Gasol will be a good test for him.
X-Factor: Joe Johnson
Johnson was brought in for two reasons: 1) Spacing the floor; Johnson is shooting 37% from three for the season, which automatically makes him Steph Curry by Heat standards. Having an option like that give guys that thrive when attacking the basket – Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, and Luol Deng – more room to operate, since there’s now a legitimate threat outside that defenses will have to respect, and 2) another option that the Heat can run offense through. Johnson can create his own shot, or post-up and back his man down. This comes in handy when guys like Dragic and Wade are on the bench.
Key Stats: 36.7
That is the Net Rating (over 100 possessions) of the three-man lineup of Dragic, Wade, and Johnson in 16 minutes of action on Sunday night, with an Offensive Rating of 107.2 points, while giving up 70.5 on defense. Of course, that is a small sample-size, as well as the Knicks can make anyone look like the Warriors. But if the Heat are going to finish the season strong, these three will need to make magic together.