How a slippery court led to a grueling stretch for the Bulls and Heat: 4 games in 5 days await

MIAMI (AP) — Chicago and Miami will both start a stretch of playing four games in five days later this month to make up for the slippery court issue that forced a postponement of a scheduled matchup between the clubs last week.

And the solution also means the Bulls and Heat will play three consecutive games against one another.

The NBA said Monday that the Miami at Chicago game that was scheduled to be played Thursday will now take place on Jan. 29. The Bulls were supposed to visit Miami for games on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1; those games will now be Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Chicago plays at Indiana on Jan. 28, the night before its now-rescheduled home game against Miami.

The Heat play host to Orlando on Jan. 28, then start the three-game set against the Bulls the next night.

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United center employees clean the court during a delay before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

United center employees clean the court during a delay before an NBA basketball game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

United Center employees try to dry the court before an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

United Center employees try to dry the court before an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

United Center employees try to dry the court before an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

MILAN (AP) — A frustrating evening for Napoli saw it held to a 0-0 draw at home by lowly Parma as the defending champion lost more ground in the title race Wednesday.

The result saw third-placed Napoli slip six points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan, which ground out a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Lecce.

Inter could see its lead cut back to three points if AC Milan wins at Como on Thursday.

Parma, which had lost only one of its past four matches, continued to climb away from danger — moving to eight points above the relegation zone.

Napoli had drawn its past two matches 2-2, including Sunday’s title showdown against Inter Milan — allowing it to be caught in third place by Roma and Juventus.

Antonio Conte had been sent off at San Siro and began his two-match touchline ban on Wednesday.

Napoli thought it had taken an early lead against Parma but Scott McTominay’s strike was ruled out on video review as teammate Pasquale Mazzocchi was fractionally offside in the build-up.

Parma goalkeeper Filippo Rinaldi was making his senior debut and he pulled off a sensational save in the 27th minute to parry a bullet header from Alessandro Buongiorno at point-blank range.

Rinaldi made a number of other saves as a resolute Parma defense managed to fend off a fierce Napoli assault.

The 23-year-old Rinaldi was named player of the match.

One of the few positive notes for Napoli was the appearance of David Neres as a second-half substitute after he missed the past couple of matches with an ankle sprain. However, the Brazilian was clearly not fully fit and was taken off shortly before fulltime.

It was far from pretty at times but Inter took what could prove to be significant step toward the scudetto.

Substitute Pio Esposito scored the only goal of a mediocre match in the 78th minute.

A ball was floated into the box and Esposito flicked it on for Lautaro Martínez — who had initially been rested but was brought on late with Inter badly needing firepower.

Lautaro's shot was parried but Esposito smashed home the rebound. The 20-year-old celebrated by showing off his muscles.

Lecce remained just three points above the drop zone.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Inter Milan's head coach Cristian Chivu gives instructions during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Lecce in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito scores his side's opening goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Lecce in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Lecce in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Napoli's Amir Rrahmani, center, in action during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund, right, and Parma's Alessandro Circati fight for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Scott McTominay, center, and Parma's Mariano Troilo, left, in action during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund, center, and Parma's Mandela Keita, right, in action during the Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Parma, in Naples, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)