The battle for the eighth seed is finally upon us, and there's no better setting than the United Center where the Chicago Bulls will host the Miami Heat—the same team that has knocked the Bulls out of playoff contention in back-to-back seasons.
The two squads will square off for the fourth time this season and the second time in a week. Chicago is 3-0 against Miami this year, including a 119-11 defeat on April 9 to clinch home court in the opening round of the Play-In Tournament. Josh Giddey led the Bulls to victory, scoring 28 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists.
Giddey recorded his seventh triple-double of the season and joined prestigious company posting such a gaudy stat line. The up-and-coming combo guard has been phenomenal against the Heat this season, averaging 26.0 points (most against any team), 10.3 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game. Defeating the Heat without Giddey would be a tall task that nearly came to fruition.
Ahead of Giddey's career-best performance, he was deemed questionable with right flexor carpi ulnaris tendinopathy. Nonetheless, Giddey suited up and led the Bulls to victory with the ninth seed on the line. The 22-year-old guard would miss the final two regular-season games as he dealt with the injury.
Josh Giddey is available against the Heat
Despite continued pain and discomfort in his shooting hand, Giddey has been listed as probable ahead of tonight's affair. The 6-foot-8 guard provided insight into his injury, stating it's difficult to heal and will be fully addressed in the offseason. Although he won't be 100 percent, he'll be in the lineup.
The same cannot be said of Lonzo Ball, who's missed 22 straight games with a wrist sprain. There's optimism Ball could return to the hardwood for the Play-In Tournament, he resumed basketball activities on April 14. Still, Ball is listed as doubtful ahead of tonight's contest and Billy Donovan lamented that the goal is for the 6-foot-6 guard to be available for the playoffs, should Chicago advance.
While the Bulls are only missing a few key contributors, their adversary is nearly footing a picture-perfect bill of health. The Heat only list three players as questionable, and none of the three appeared in 60 games or 1200 minutes this season. Miami enters tonight's contest as healthy as can be.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Tre Jones (Left Midfoot Sprain).
Doubtful: Lonzo Ball (Right Wrist Sprain).
Probable: Josh Giddey (Right Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendinopathy), Dalen Terry (Right Calf Contusion).
Miami Heat
Questionable: Nikola Jovic (Right Hand Fracture), Pelle Larson (Right Ankle Sprain), Kevin Love (Return to Competition Reconditioning).
