- The Miami Heat hit the road again to face off against the Chicago Bulls in the middle game of the short season series. The two teams largely stood pat during the trade deadline, apart from a minor trade involving the jettison of 2009 1st round pick SF James Johnson to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the first round pick Miami surrendered in the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade. The Bulls had a major need for a shooting guard but instead will join the Heat in hoping a quality player will get bought out and become available to them.
- This game should be a more accurate matchup to gauge both teams since LeBron James and Joakim Noah were inactive in addition to a 4th quarter injury to Chris Bosh. The Bulls went 23-8 while Noah was out with a right thumb injury.
- Miami took the season series last year (3-1) as well as in 2008-09 (3-1). The Bulls are 27-14 all-time against the Heat in Chicago. Bulls lead all-time 45-37.
- Chicago's 17 wins against West teams are the most by an East team with Miami in second place with 13.
- Derrick Rose is the only NBA player who averages at least 24 points a game and 8 assists this season. Perhaps just as impressively, James is pretty close to that with 26.2 ppg and 7.2 apg (to go with 7.8 rpg) without having the ball in his hands nearly as much as Rose does.
- Mike Miller was not able to travel with the team because of an ear infection (apparently not because of his recent head issues). No injuries reported for the Bulls.
When/Where: 8 p.m., United Center, Chicago. TV: TNT. Radio: WAXY (790-AM)