Chicago Bulls (17-9, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (15-11, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Miami; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls visit the Miami Heat. DeRozan ranks fourth in the league scoring 26.4 points per game.
The Heat are 9-5 in conference matchups. Miami ranks eighth in the league with 24.8 assists per game led by Kyle Lowry averaging 7.8.
The Bulls are 10-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago is sixth in the league scoring 14.2 fast break points per game led by Zach LaVine averaging 3.3.
The teams play for the second time this season. The Heat won the last matchup on Nov. 28. Gabe Vincent scored 20 points points to help lead the Heat to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Herro is shooting 44.4% and averaging 20.8 points for the Heat. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Miami.
Nikola Vucevic is averaging 15.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Bulls. Lonzo Ball is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Chicago.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 4-6, averaging 102.2 points, 38.6 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.0 points per game.
Bulls: 6-4, averaging 109.0 points, 43.5 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.8 points.
INJURIES: Heat: Victor Oladipo: out (right knee), Markieff Morris: out (neck), Jimmy Butler: day to day (tailbone), Bam Adebayo: out (thumb).
Bulls: Javonte Green: out (health protocols), Alex Caruso: day to day (hamstring), Derrick Jones Jr.: out (health and safety protocols), DeMar DeRozan: out (health protocols), Patrick Williams: out (left wrist), Coby White: out (covid-19), Matt Thomas: out (health and safety protocols).
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