In a rematch of last year’s Play-In game, the undermanned Miami Heat will slug it out with the revenge-seeking Chicago Bulls anew in a loser-goes-home showdown with the final East playoff spot on the line on Saturday (PHL time).
However, if the Heat wants a return trip to the playoffs, and possibly another deep title run, the reigning East champs would have to do it without their superstar Jimmy Butler.
Playoff Jimmy will miss probably the most important game of Miami this season due to a right MCL sprain, the team announced today.
#CHIvsMIA INJURY UPDATE: Jimmy Butler (right MCL sprain) and Terry Rozier (neck) have both been ruled out of tomorrow night’s play-in game vs the Bulls.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 18, 2024
The former All-Star suffered the injury in the closing moments of the opening quarter in their 105-104 loss with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jimmy Butler was shaken up after Kelly Oubre fell on his leg on this play.
He remained in the game. pic.twitter.com/XI882gNt9N
— ESPN (@espn) April 17, 2024
[ALSO READ: Embiid, Sixers rally past Heat, to see Knicks in East round 1]
The 34-year-old still finished the game and went on to record 19 points, five assists, and five steals but only shot 5-of-18 from the field.
Terry Rozier, who also missed the Heat’s first Play-In, Thursday, is still out with a neck injury.
Without two key offensive weapons, Miami will need a full collective-effort on scoring, primarily from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, to even make it to the playoffs.
Herro scored 25 points against Philadelphia but made just nine of 27 shots while Adebayo had a quiet offensive night of 10 points but did collect 12 rebounds.
From WAY downtown pic.twitter.com/YA3g9fo1Z8
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 18, 2024
Chicago, on the other hand, are coming off a resounding 131-116 win at home to end the tenth-seeded Atlanta Hawks’ season.
[ALSO READ: Coby White drops career-high 42, Bulls eliminate Hawks to arrange Play-in rematch with Miami]
Coby White had a career-night in an already breakthrough season, dropping a career-high 42 points as he weaved his way and sliced the Hawks defense at ease all-game long. Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 12 rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan finished with 22 points and nine assists.
However, one downside of that win is guard Alex Caruso spraining his left ankle when teammate Andre Drummond was running up court and stepped on his ankle.
Alex Caruso suffered an apparent injury after this collision with Andre Drummond.
He has yet to return to the game. pic.twitter.com/5Uc4c0WiKk
— ESPN (@espn) April 18, 2024
Caruso is 'doubtful' to play on Saturday per NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso has a “significant” left ankle sprain and his availability vs. Miami on Friday with the 8th-seed on the line is in doubt, source tells ESPN. Andre Drummond stepped on foot vs. Hawks in Play-In victory tonight. pic.twitter.com/Lo8RMz5Kbh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 18, 2024
A chance of redemption awaits the Bulls on Saturday, and barring any late-game collapse, they could finally finish the job and advance to the playoffs.
Something Chicago couldn’t do last season.
They had a three-point lead, 90-87, with three minutes remaining in regulation before the Heat ended the game on a 15-1 run and went on to reach the postseason and the NBA Finals.
Both squads split their four regular season matchup this season, with Butler being the top-two scorer for the Heat in three of those four contests in addition to being his team's top defender throughout.
The battle for the final East playoff spot between the ninth-ranked Chicago Bulls and the eighth-ranked Miami Heat will take place on Saturday, April 20, 7 a.m. LIVE on NBA TV Philippines.
