Heat's Hassan Whiteside: Will not play Friday

Whiteside (ankle) won't play in Friday's game against the Bulls, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Whiteside was able to play through the sprained right ankle in Wednesday's win over the Nets, but lasted only 20 minutes and delivered an underwhelming stat line before coach Erik Spoelstra decided to pull him from the game for good. The center may have worsened the injury while playing Wednesday, so the Heat decided it was best to hold him out Friday as the Heat open a back-to-back set. According to Winderman , coach Erik Spoelstra is leaving open the possibility that Whiteside is able to play in Saturday's game against the Pistons, but he should be considered questionable for that contest. With Whiteside out for at least one contest, expect Willie Reed to enter the starting lineup at center and take on the bulk of the playing time at center. Reed has averaged 13.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 assists in 26.3 minutes per game in his other four starts this season in place of Whiteside.