The Miami Heat lost a third straight game and also lost Hassan Whiteside to an injury in Wednesday's 106-87 loss to the Washington Wizards.
Entering the game without Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, the Heat were already shorthanded. That was before Whiteside was forced to exit in the first half with a strained left side. The center did not return and is considered day-to-day.
Wade was set to play before being scratched before the start of the game due to a sore shoulder. The veteran played limited minutes in Tuesday's game, but should be ready for Miami's next game.
Without Wade or Dragic, head coach Erik Spoelstra scrambled to fill out the starting lineup. In place of the two veterans were Tyler Johnson and Gerald Green. Miami was once again without the services of Beno Udrih which only made things more difficult for Spoelstra.
The small bench and long list of injuries meant Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson were needed for big minutes. Winslow played 35 minutes and had nine points to go along with six assists. Richardson also ended up 35 minutes and had six points of his own. Before this recent stretch of games, Richardson had struggled to find even a minute on the court.
Chris Bosh played 28 minutes and battled foul trouble with five personal fouls. Bosh had 18 points and four rebounds. The All-Star who had to take on a bigger role without Wade made six of his ten attempts from the field.
Miami's road trip will continue on Friday when it visits the Toronto Raptors.
