Jimmy Butler

Bulls try to maintain intensity against Heat (Dec 10, 2016)

Published Dec. 10, 2016 12:23 a.m. ET

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls have proved they can beat the NBA's elite. But they haven't been nearly as impressive against the league's also-rans.

The Bulls are a week removed from toppling the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers and are coming off handing the San Antonio Spurs their first road loss of the year. But the Bulls, who have already lost to one last-place team, welcome another one, the Miami Heat to the United Center on Saturday night.

The question that begs answering is simple: Which Bulls team shows up?

"We talked about it after the Cleveland game, so that's the scary thing," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said after Chicago's 95-91 over the Spurs on Thursday night. "If we go out with that type of focus, we'll win a lot of games. It can't just be against the top teams. It's got to be every night."

The Bulls (12-10) will put that focus to the test against the Heat, who lost for the fourth straight time Friday night in a lopsided 114-84 setback at Cleveland. Miami (7-16) shot a season-low 34.8 percent from the field in the loss and was 6 of 27 from 3-point range.

The 30-point differential provided the Heat's worst loss of the season and the 84 points also was a season low.

The Heat, who were led by Derrick Williams' 17 points, were short-handed and played with the league minimum of eight players. Miami captain Udonis Haslem was excused from Friday's game for personal reasons.

According to the Miami Herald, a team spokesman said Haslem was not with the team and it was uncertain whether Haslem would play in Chicago, according to the Herald.

The Heat's lack of depth showed against the Cavaliers. But the play of center Hassan Whiteside, who was benched after scoring eight points on 4-of-10 shooting didn't help matters either.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Miami would "wash this one off" and get ready for Chicago. But Spoelstra made it clear he expected more from Whitehead.

"This league is for competitors only," Spoelstra said.

Added point guard Goran Dragic, who scored 15 points: "He's our franchise player and we need him. When he plays like that, our chances to win are smaller. It's tough when he's not at the level he can be."

But whether the Bulls can capitalize on the Heat's struggles will depend on whether they can play to the level they have showcased against premier competition.

Against the Spurs, Dwyane Wade scored 20 points and the Bulls snapped a three-game skid despite Jimmy Butler seeing his streak of games in which he scored at least 20 points end at 15.

But the return of Doug McDermott, who had been out with concussion symptoms, sparked Chicago's bench as the Bulls knocked off another top team. All five starters reached double figures and the Bulls led by as many as 18 points before holding on down the stretch.

The Bulls will attempt to carry the momentum of Thursday's win over to Saturday against the slumping Heat.

"We know we can play with the best and lose with the worst," Bulls guard Rajon Rondo told reporters Thursday after nearly notching his second triple-double of the season.