The Miami Heat will have two of their key rotation players available for their game against the Utah Jazz on Friday night as both starting center Hassan Whiteside and backup guard Tyler Johnson are set to play.
Tyler Johnson to play tonight. No need for hand wrap for Whiteside who is good to go after fall vs. Suns.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) November 10, 2017
Johnson missed out on the Heat’s last game, a 126-115 win over the Phoenix Suns, due to illness. Justise Winslow and Wayne Ellington played significantly more minutes in Johnson’s absence, and they delivered with strong performances. Winslow had 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 37 minutes, while Ellington added 15 points in 34 minutes off the bench.
Meanwhile, Whiteside fell awkwardly on his left hand in the win over the Suns, but the injury wasn’t enough to keep him sidelined once again. After getting benched in the second half of their previous game against the Golden State Warriors, Whiteside responded with a strong performance against Phoenix. He put up 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in 28 minutes of action.
With both Johnson and Whiteside available, the Heat will have a much better chance of winning back-to-back games for the first time since the first week of the season. They are set to face a struggling Jazz team which has lost three consecutive games, two of which have come at home.
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