Whiteside will start Game 4 against Hornets; Batum out

Posted April 25, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside dunks against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs first-round series in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, April 23, 2016. The Hornets won 96-80. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside will start Game 4 against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night despite missing the last two practices with a bruised right thigh.

Whiteside's status had been listed as a game-time decision.

Says Miami coach Erick Spoelstra, "Hopefully the adrenaline will kick in and he'll get through it."

Whiteside got hit in the thigh on a pick and roll in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's game.

Charlotte small forward Nicolas Batum has been ruled out for Game 4 with a strained foot. Batum also missed Game 3, which the Hornets won 96-80 at home. Frank Kaminsky will start in his place.

Coach Steve Clifford is unsure if Batum will be ready for Game 5 in Miami on Wednesday night, saying the ankle is "very weak."

Miami leads the series 2-1.

Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside, right, drives against Charlotte Hornets' Al Jefferson, left, during the first half of an NBA first-round playoff basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, April 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker (15) drives past Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs first-round series in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, April 23, 2016. The Hornets won 96-80. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

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