Whiteside regrets criticizing club

MIAMI — Two days after creating controversy with his post-game words, Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside wishes he had handled things differently.

On Monday, Whiteside said he regretted making critical comments regarding coach Erik Spoelstra’s decision to not play him in the closing minutes of Saturday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

“I was just frustrated, man,” Whiteside said. “I was frustrated that we lost. I really wanted to get that game . ... I could have handled it different. But I got so caught up in wanting to get that win. I get real competitive. I really want to be out there. But I just trust coach’s decision.”

The issue arose in the locker room following the loss to the Nets that kept the Heat from clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. When speaking with reporters afterward, he voiced his displeasure about not being on the floor late in the fourth quarter.

Spoelstra opted for a smaller lineup, using forward James Johnson down the stretch.

“Man, it’s annoying,” Whiteside said after the game. “Why we matching up? We got one of the best centers in the league. Why we matching up? A lot of teams don’t have a good center. They’re going to use their strength.

“It’s bull----. It’s really bull----, man. There’s a lot of teams that could use a center. S---. That’s bull----.”

Whiteside was much calmer when addressing the situation after cooling off. He has since met with Spoelstra in a one-on-one meeting.