NBA Hoops

Surging Heat brace for challenge vs. Bulls

Without Paul George, Clippers carry on vs. Timberwolves

The Chicago Bulls and the host Miami Heat are set to meet Monday night in a clash of the two top teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat, who hold a one-game lead over the Bulls, boast a 20-7 record at home this season.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said his team’s upcoming week against contenders Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Philadelphia is not a “be all, end all.” He added, “But you also don’t want to brush it off. You can’t just say it’s another game.”

The Bulls had won six in a row before dropping a 116-110 decision to Memphis on Saturday.

Chicago has lost both meetings with Miami this season.

In fact, the Bulls are a combined 1-10 against the six other teams that started this week with a winning percentage of better than .600: Phoenix (0-1), Golden State (0-2), Memphis (0-2), Utah (1-0), Miami (0-2) and Philadelphia (0-3).

Despite the team’s lackluster record in such contests, Chicago guard Coby White said, “We take it as a challenge to play against the better teams.”

The Bulls, who have…

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