Heat's Hassan Whiteside: Back in the lineup Thursday

Whiteside (personal) will play in Thursday's preseason matchup with the Hornets, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Whiteside missed the Heat's previous game Tuesday against the Magic following a death in his family, but rejoined the team in Charlotte and will be ready to reclaim his starting role at center. His return will push Willie Reed, who scored 16 points and provided 11 rebounds over 29 minutes Tuesday, back into a bench role.