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Heat's Hassan Whiteside: Not traveling to Toronto

Whiteside (knee) won't make the trip to Toronto for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Raptors, Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

It's been reported that Whiteside is dealing with a first-degree sprain, but the big man remains without a concrete return timetable. Whiteside sat out Monday's Game 4 win, and the Heat resorted to employing a smaller lineup for much of the game, including most of the fourth quarter and overtime. Amar'e Stoudemire got the start at center but played only 12 minutes, while Udonis Haslem saw just 10 minutes off the bench. Rookie Justise Winslow, who didn't play in Game 3, logged 31 minutes and functioned as the de facto center down the stretch. Coach Erik Spoelstra figures to take a similar approach in Game 5, especially considering the Raptors are also without their starting center, Jonas Valanciunas (ankle), for at least the remainder of the series.

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