Luol Deng questionable, Hassan Whiteside out for Heat in Game 6
By Jason Parker
![May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) reacts for a loose ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends during the fourth quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) reacts for a loose ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends during the fourth quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c81d3f3a453e66a51a0d86a9c42c0766292bd861afa6461c0521c3900fac6d31.jpg)
The Miami Heat are dealing with the fact that they may be without both Luol Deng (wrist) and Hassan Whiteside (knee) for Game Six against Toronto.
Friday night, the Miami Heat find themselves in another win-or-go-home situation as they look to stay alive in their series with the Toronto Raptors with a win in Game 6 in South Florida (so, more like a win or stay home situation in this case).
If the Heat are going to live to fight another day, they will likely have to do it without two of their big men in the middle, as ESPN is reporting that Luol Deng is questionable for Game 6 after an MRI showed he has a bruised wrist following an injury in Game 5 on Wednesday:
"Deng, who suffered his injury in the third quarter of Toronto’s 99-91 Game 5 win, said Wednesday night that he was hoping to play in Game 6 on Friday.“Right now we’re just being smart,” Deng said after suffering the injury. “I have to know what it is. As long as it’s nothing serious, I will be out there Friday [for Game 6].”"
Deng’s status is even more important considering that the Heat have ruled out center Hassan Whiteside for Game Six. Whiteside suffered a sprained MCL in his knee following a collision in Game 4 and didn’t travel with the Heat on their recent trip to Toronto.
The Raptors have won the last two games in the series and need one more to advance to their first Eastern Conference Finals in franchise history. The Heat are in the same position they were in the first round against the Charlotte Hornets, as they won Games 6 and 7 of that series to advance.
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