01/08/26 09:06:00
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01/08 21:04 CST Heat-Bulls game at the United Center postponed due to
condensation on the court
Heat-Bulls game at the United Center postponed due to condensation on the court
By MATT CARLSON
Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) --- The game between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls at the
United Center on Thursday was postponed after a nearly two-hour delay due to
condensation on the court.
The officials cited "court conditions" for the delay in starting the contest.
There appeared to be moisture on the floor at the United Center, which is also
home to the Chicago Blackhawks, who played Wednesday and will skate at the
arena again Friday. Workers tried to dry the surface using mops and towels.
The game was officially postponed at 8:53 p.m., prompting boos from the crowd.
A rescheduled date for the game was not immediately announced.
The Bulls entered at 17-20 and on a three-game losing streak. The contest was
supposed to be the second in a four-game trip for the Heat (20-17).
About 40 minutes after the expected 7:05 p.m. tipoff time, an announcement was
made that the expected start time would be after 8 p.m. local time.
Maintenance personnel pushed large mops across court while players from both
teams milled about dribbling, shooting and chatting at the start of the delay.
At about 7:50 p.m. players and coaches returned to their dressing rooms and the
floor was cleared to allow workers to attempt to dry the the surface using mops
and towels.
Game officials, then Heat players and coaches, started returning to the floor
at 8:25 p.m. Bulls coaches and a handful of Chicago players led by Coby White
followed minutes later and filtered about. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra were among those chatting.
The teams then exited the court at 8:45 p.m. without attempting to warm up.
Temperatures in Chicago reached the mid-50s on a rainy Thursday.
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