Heat's Deng out vs. Thunder
The Miami Heat will be without their starting small forward when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night, as Luol Deng is out with a hamstring injury.
Deng has missed the last three contests and will continue that trend against the Thunder, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. The Heat have gone 1-2 without Deng in the lineup.
The Duke alumnus is having a poor season by his standards, averaging career lows in points (10.3), assists (1.4), and rebounds (3.8).
Gerald Green will likely continue to start in Deng's absence. Green has elevated his play over the last three games, averaging 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks.
Green will likely be tasked with covering Kevin Durant.
Amar'e Stoudemire will also sit for Miami.