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Zach Kram
The anticipated matchup between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls was delayed on Thursday due to condensation on the court in Chicago.
The United Center hosted a Chicago Blackhawks ice game on Wednesday, and after an unusually warm, rainy day in Chicago, the basketball surface was not fit for play.
Players from both sides completed their usual pregame warmup routines but deemed the court unsafe for a game.
After over 90 minutes of unsuccessful efforts to remedy the situation — including increasing the air conditioning in the arena and mopping the court with large towels — the NBA league office, game officials, and both teams’ coaches reached a consensus to postpone the game.
«The players expressed concerns from both teams,» Heat coach Erik Spoelstra remarked. «We all stepped out and almost instantly, we sensed that it wasn’t safe for play.»
A rescheduled date was not announced on Thursday evening. The Heat currently do not have plans to return to Chicago this season.
During the 2016-17 season, games in Minnesota and Philadelphia faced postponements due to condensation under similar conditions: a warm day in a cold-weather city, following an ice event in the venue.
