Game time: 8 p.m., United Center, Chicago  

TV: FanDuel Sports Network 

Betting line: N/A

VITALS:  

The Heat and Bulls meet for the third of four regular season matchups and the first of a back-to-back with another game against Chicago again tomorrow. With their game originally scheduled for January 8 being postponed, the Heat and Bulls will now play each other three consecutive times with a game this past Thursday, tonight and tomorrow. So far this season, Miami has won both previous matchups. Ayo Dosunmu has had at least 20 points in four of his last five games versus Miami, averaging 19.8 ppg and 5.2 apg during that stretch. Nikola Vučević has logged a double-double in five of his last six games against the Heat, which is a part of 29 career double-doubles versus Miami. The Bulls are 6-4 in their last 10 games versus the Heat. Bulls are looking to avoid losing their first season series against Miami for the first time since the 2021-22 season. The Bulls recently retired the jersey of legend Derrick Rose. 

PROJECTED STARTERS

HEAT

G Pelle Larsson

G Kasparas Jakucionis 

C Bam Adebayo 

F Kel'el Ware

F Andrew Wiggins

BULLS

F Isaac Okoro

F Jalen Smith

C Nikola Vucevic

G Matas Buzelis

G Coby White 

INJUY REPORT

HEAT

Norman Powell: Out (Personal Reasons)

Davion Mitchell: Doubtful (Shoulder)

Tyler Herro: Out (ribs)

Terry Rozier: Out (Not with team)

Vladislav Goldin: Out (G League)

Jahmir Young: Out (G League)

BULLS

Tre Jones: Out (Hamstring)

Nikola Vucevic: Doubtful (Rest)

Coby White: Questionable (ankle)

Zach Collins: Out (Toe)

Noa Essengue: Out (Shoulder)

Josh Giddey: Questionable (Hamstring)

Kevin Huerter: Out (Back)

Yuki Kawamura: Out (G League)

QUOTABLE 

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Kel'el Ware's 12-minute stretch the previous game: "Those minutes were good. The aggressiveness, ball pressure, that was all really good. The fact that he's played 12 minutes isn't any kind of indictment on him."

More Miami Heat News:

- "Heat's Explosive Offense Shuts Down Kings' Beam"

- "Heat Positioning For Future Superstars"

- "Eastern Conference Rival Eyeing Heat's Two-Way All-Star"

- "Jonathan Kuminga 'Welcomes' Heat as Potential Next Destination"

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com