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The Miami Heat rolled into Philadelphia on Wednesday looking to grab a seat in the playoffs. They very nearly did it, but Nic Batum and Joel Embiid came through with crucial plays to push the 76ers into the postseason. The Heat, despite the 105-104 loss, have another chance on Friday when they host the Chicago Bulls for the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed.
The Heat-Bulls play-in tournament tussle is a rematch of last year’s showdown under the same scenario. Miami, who was three minutes away from a long vacation, rallied to upset Chicago 102-91 to start its giant-slaying playoff run.
Erik Spoelstra’s team will try to follow the same script and come up with the same result.
Should the Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls, their reward for surviving the hellish pre-playoff format will be a date with a familiar foe, the Boston Celtics, which were eliminated by the Heat in a classic seven-game thriller in the conference finals.
Boston will be raring to get revenge. Miami can’t afford to overlook the Bulls, though, after Coby White had a career night to pummel the Atlanta Hawks.
The Miami Heat are waiting for Jimmy Butler’s MRI
Already missing Terry Rozier, the Miami Heat could be without Jimmy Butler in the must-win showdown against the Chicago Bulls.
“Jimmy Buckets” slipped and appeared to tweak his knee in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers. The reigning Eastern Conference Finals MVP put on a gritty shift but was unquestionably bothered by his knee.
After the game, Butler said that he “couldn’t do too much” and hoped to be able to “stick-and-move” on Thursday. He and his team will be eagerly waiting for the MRI results on Thursday. There are already speculations, though, that he might not see another minute for the Heat this season.
Shams Charania had an update about Butler’s potential issue:
“Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is feared to have an MCL injury in his knee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The injury could sideline Butler for an indefinite period. MRI to come.”
Erik Spoelstra has already declared his team’s readiness for another tough play-in tournament game
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra refused to dwell for long on Jimmy Butler’s uncertainty. He knew that the franchise cornerstone could be shelved for the rest of the season. But, he is unfazed by what his team is facing.
Spoelstra said in his post-game press conference:
“We will do this the hard way. That has to be the path right now. We're going to rest up, treat up, rally around each other up, get ready for Friday. Again, embrace these competitive games. It will be competitive in front of our home fans.”
The Miami Heat have one final crack at the playoffs on Friday. With or without Jimmy Butler, Spoelstra has them fired up for the opportunity to send the Chicago Bulls on a long vacation.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
