NBA - Miami Heat
Team:
| Location: Miami, FL | Arena: American Airlines Arena (19,600) | Top minor league affiliate: Iowa Energy | Owner: Micky Arison |
| GM: Randy Pfund | Coach: Erik Spoelstra | NBA Titles: 1 |
Miami News
| Unlikely Big 3 has Memphis in 1st Western finals |
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Miami Heat have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. |
Standings - EC Southeast
Team Leaders
| Name | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Pt/G | LeBron James | 26.8 |
| Rb/G | LeBron James | 8.0 |
| As/G | LeBron James | 7.3 |
| St/G | Dwyane Wade | 1.9 |
| Blk/G | Chris Bosh | 1.4 |
| FG% | LeBron James | .565 |
| FT% | Ray Allen | .886 |
| 3Pt% | Shane Battier | .430 |
| Mn/G | LeBron James | 37.9 |
| PF/G | LeBron James | 1.4 |
Team Rankings
| Total | EC Rank | NBA Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PF/G | 102.9 | 1 | 5 |
| PA/G | 95.0 | 3 | 5 |
| Rb/G | 46.4 | 15 | 30 |
| FG% | .496 | 1 | 1 |
| 3P/G | 8.7 | 2 | 3 |
| PF/G | 18.7 | 4 | 8 |
| St/TO | 0.7 | 2 | 3 |
Latest Game - May 15, 2013
Other Headlines
Player News
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Dwyane Wade returned in the fourth quarter after having his right knee worked on in the locker room and played very well, finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block on 7-of-13 shooting to lead the Heat over the Bulls for a 94-91 win to close out their series and earn a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. They'll likely get the Pacers, who are up 3-1 on the Knicks. Wade looked fantastic after returning, and helped the Heat overcome a late deficit and hang on to win the game. Wade's knee is a mess, but he'll get some much needed time to recuperate as the Knicks and Pacers continue to battle it out in their series. LeBron James finished with 23 points, seven boards, eight assists, two steals and a 3-pointer on 5-of-14 shooting, but also hit 12-of-15 free throws to help seal the deal. |
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Chris Andersen says he was signed with the purpose of guarding Joakim Noah in case the Heat and Bulls met in the playoffs. Andersen said he told Noah that in the hallway after the Bulls halted Miami's 27-game win streak in March. If that's the case, Birdman hadn't exactly been doing a stellar job this series prior to Monday's Game 4. Noah, who is playing through plantar fasciitis, was averaging close to a double-double before Monday's six-point, nine-rebound performance that included 1-of-6 shooting from the field. Andersen has been a pretty useful piece for Miami since joining the Heat, but his impact will be limited to energy and defending the opposing team's big man. |
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Chris Bosh will not change his approach on the inside when battling for rebounds. "Boxing out, there's a bunch of different techniques you can use and everything," Bosh said. "I've really been searching this season to find what works best for me and a lot of times I'm in situations where people only pay attention to numbers. I never really got caught up in that. I just wanted to do whatever it took to help this team win." Bosh's contributions are often overlooked, but there's no doubting his importance to the Heat. |
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LeBron James scored a game-high 27 points in Monday's 88-65 victory at Chicago, while adding seven boards, eight assists, two steals and one 3-pointer in 43 minutes. He shot 9-of-20 from the field and 8-of-9 from the line. His free throw shooting has vastly improved lately, making 19-of-20 in his last two games. LeBron's so-so production at the line has really been the only missing piece of the puzzle to his offensive game, so he'll be even tougher to stop should his improvement continue. |
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Erik Spoelstra praised Ray Allen, saying he's been "exactly what we wanted this year." "He's a fourth-quarter killer with the mindset that you have to know and be aware of where he is at all times in the fourth quarter," Spoelstra said. Allen averages 10 minutes during the fourth-quarter, the highest average during his 17-year career. "He creates more space for our best players," Spoelstra added. |
Player Injuries
| Player | Injury | Status | Exp Return |
|---|
Last 5 Games
Point Guard
| # | Name | Ht | Wt | DOB | Age | Exp | Birthplace | College | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Alston, Rafer  |
6'2" | 175 | 07/24/1976 | 36 | 11 | New York, NY, USA | Fresno State | |
| 15 | Chalmers, Mario | 6'2" | 190 | 05/19/1986 | 26 | 4 | Anchorage, AK, USA | Kansas | $4,000,000 |
| 30 | Cole, Norris | 6'2" | 175 | 10/13/1988 | 24 | 1 | Dayton, OH, USA | Cleveland State | $1,113,600 |
Shooting Guard
| # | Name | Ht | Wt | DOB | Age | Exp | Birthplace | College | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Allen, Ray | 6'5" | 205 | 07/20/1975 | 37 | 16 | Castle AFB, Merced, CA, USA | Connecticut | $3,090,000 |
| 31 | Battier, Shane | 6'8" | 220 | 09/09/1978 | 34 | 11 | Birmingham, MI, USA | Duke | $3,135,000 |
| 22 | Jones, James | 6'8" | 215 | 10/04/1980 | 32 | 9 | Miami, FL, USA | Miami (FL) | $3,350,000 |
| 13 | Miller, Mike | 6'8" | 218 | 02/19/1980 | 33 | 12 | Mitchell, SD, USA | Florida | $5,800,000 |
Guard
| # | Name | Ht | Wt | DOB | Age | Exp | Birthplace | College | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Wade, Dwyane | 6'4" | 220 | 01/17/1982 | 31 | 9 | Chicago, IL, USA | Marquette | $17,024,000 |
Power Forward
| # | Name | Ht | Wt | DOB | Age | Exp | Birthplace | College | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Andersen, Chris | 6'10" | 228 | 07/07/1978 | 34 | 10 | Long Beach, CA, USA | Blinn (TX) JC | $4,277,800 |
| 50 | Anthony, Joel | 6'9" | 245 | 08/09/1982 | 30 | 5 | Montreal, PQ, Can | UNLV | $3,750,000 |
| 1 | Bosh, Chris | 6'11" | 235 | 03/24/1984 | 29 | 9 | Dallas, TX, USA | Georgia Tech | $17,545,000 |
| 40 | Haslem, Udonis | 6'8" | 235 | 06/09/1980 | 32 | 9 | Miami, FL, USA | Florida | $4,060,000 |
| 5 | Howard, Juwan | 6'9" | 250 | 02/07/1973 | 40 | 18 | Chicago, IL, USA | Michigan | $1,352,181 |
Forward
| # | Name | Ht | Wt | DOB | Age | Exp | Birthplace | College | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | James, LeBron | 6'8" | 250 | 12/30/1984 | 28 | 9 | Akron, OH, USA | None | $17,545,000 |
| 9 | Lewis, Rashard | 6'10" | 235 | 08/08/1979 | 33 | 14 | Pineville, LA, USA | None | $1,352,181 |
| 24 | Varnado, Jarvis | 6'10" | 225 | 03/01/1988 | 25 | 0 | Brownsville, TN, USA | Mississippi State |
Game Information
| Average Age: 31.5 |
| Average Height: 6'7.1" |
| Average Weight: 220.1 |
Standard
| Player | GP | Mn/G | Pt/G | FG/G | FGA/G | FG% | 3P/G | 3PA/G | 3Pt% | FT/G | FTA/G | FT% | ORb/G | DRb/G | Rb/G | As/G | St/G | Blk/G | TO/G | PF/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James, LeBron F | 76 | 37.9 | 26.8 | 10.1 | 17.8 | .565 | 1.4 | 3.3 | .406 | 5.3 | 7.0 | .753 | 1.3 | 6.8 | 8.0 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 1.4 |
| Wade, Dwyane G | 69 | 34.6 | 21.2 | 8.2 | 15.8 | .521 | 0.2 | 1.0 | .258 | 4.5 | 6.2 | .725 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 2.0 |
| Bosh, Chris PF,C | 74 | 33.2 | 16.6 | 6.6 | 12.3 | .535 | 0.3 | 1.0 | .284 | 3.3 | 4.1 | .798 | 1.8 | 5.0 | 6.8 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.3 |
| Allen, Ray SG | 79 | 25.8 | 10.9 | 3.7 | 8.2 | .449 | 1.8 | 4.2 | .419 | 1.8 | 2.0 | .886 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| Chalmers, Mario PG | 77 | 26.9 | 8.6 | 2.9 | 6.9 | .429 | 1.6 | 3.9 | .409 | 1.2 | 1.5 | .795 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| Battier, Shane SG,SF | 72 | 24.8 | 6.6 | 2.1 | 5.0 | .420 | 1.9 | 4.4 | .430 | 0.4 | 0.5 | .842 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 2.1 |
| Cole, Norris PG | 80 | 19.9 | 5.6 | 2.2 | 5.3 | .421 | 0.4 | 1.2 | .357 | 0.7 | 1.0 | .650 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Lewis, Rashard F | 55 | 14.4 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 4.5 | .414 | 0.9 | 2.4 | .389 | 0.5 | 0.8 | .622 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Andersen, Chris PF,C | 42 | 14.9 | 4.9 | 1.7 | 2.9 | .577 | 0.0 | 0.1 | .667 | 1.5 | 2.2 | .677 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 4.1 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 2.1 |
| Miller, Mike SG,SF | 59 | 15.2 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 3.9 | .433 | 1.2 | 3.0 | .417 | 0.1 | 0.2 | .727 | 0.3 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 |
| Haslem, Udonis PF | 75 | 18.9 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 3.3 | .514 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | 0.4 | 0.6 | .711 | 1.3 | 4.1 | 5.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 2.3 |
| Howard, Juwan PF | 7 | 7.2 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 2.7 | .526 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.3 |
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Harrellson, Josh PF,C
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6 | 5.1 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.5 | .444 | 0.2 | 0.8 | .200 | 0.2 | 0.3 | .500 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| Jones, James SG,SF | 38 | 5.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.6 | .344 | 0.4 | 1.4 | .302 | 0.1 | 0.1 | .500 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| Anthony, Joel PF,C | 62 | 9.1 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | .515 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | 0.3 | 0.5 | .607 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.8 |
| Harris, Terrel SG | 20 | 6.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.4 | .148 | 0.0 | 0.4 | .000 | 0.4 | 0.5 | .700 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
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Pittman, Dexter C
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11 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.0 | .364 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | 0.0 | 0.3 | .000 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| Varnado, Jarvis F | 13 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.5 | .429 | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | 0.2 | 0.3 | .500 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
Extra
| Player | GP | Mn/G | +/- | Eff | As/TO | St/TO | PPS | 2D | 3D | TF | FF | Ej |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony, Joel PF,C | 62 | 9.1 | 28 | 3.290 | 0.59 | 0.59 | 1.28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harris, Terrel SG | 20 | 6.9 | -1 | .600 | 0.53 | 0.12 | 0.56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Andersen, Chris PF,C | 42 | 14.9 | 96 | 8.333 | 0.71 | 0.67 | 1.68 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Harrellson, Josh PF,C
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6 | 5.1 | -1 | 1.667 | 0.00 | 0.33 | 1.11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Pittman, Dexter C
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11 | 2.9 | -29 | .636 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jones, James SG,SF | 38 | 5.8 | -16 | 1.526 | 4.33 | 0.67 | 0.98 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Varnado, Jarvis F | 13 | 4.5 | -23 | .846 | 0.50 | 0.17 | 1.14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Howard, Juwan PF | 7 | 7.2 | -13 | 3.143 | 1.50 | 0.00 | 1.11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chalmers, Mario PG | 77 | 26.9 | 569 | 10.338 | 2.29 | 0.99 | 1.26 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Bosh, Chris PF,C | 74 | 33.2 | 474 | 19.081 | 0.96 | 0.52 | 1.36 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Allen, Ray SG | 79 | 25.8 | 175 | 10.342 | 1.31 | 0.65 | 1.33 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Battier, Shane SG,SF | 72 | 24.8 | 338 | 7.708 | 2.12 | 1.21 | 1.30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lewis, Rashard F | 55 | 14.4 | -19 | 5.000 | 0.91 | 0.64 | 1.14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| James, LeBron F | 76 | 37.9 | 720 | 32.184 | 2.44 | 0.57 | 1.50 | 32 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Wade, Dwyane G | 69 | 34.6 | 571 | 21.855 | 1.81 | 0.66 | 1.34 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Miller, Mike SG,SF | 59 | 15.2 | 55 | 6.661 | 2.83 | 0.60 | 1.22 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Haslem, Udonis PF | 75 | 18.9 | 272 | 7.960 | 0.84 | 0.67 | 1.16 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Cole, Norris PG | 80 | 19.9 | 7 | 5.313 | 1.58 | 0.55 | 1.05 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recent
| Date | Opponent | Result | Pts Leader | Rebs Leader | Asst Leader | Game Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Apr 21 | Milwaukee | W, 110-87 | James (26) | James (6) | James (3) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Tue Apr 23 | Milwaukee | W, 98-86 | Wade (21) | James (6) | James (5) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Thu Apr 25 | @Milwaukee | W, 104-91 | Allen (23) | Bosh (14) | Wade (11) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Sun Apr 28 | @Milwaukee | W, 88-77 | James (30) | Chalmers (8) | James (7) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Mon May 6 | Chicago | L, 93-86 | James (27) | James (14) | Chalmers (9) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Wed May 8 | Chicago | W, 115-78 | Allen (13) | Cole (6) | James (6) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Fri May 10 | @Chicago | W, 104-94 | James (25) | Bosh (19) | James (7) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Mon May 13 | @Chicago | W, 88-65 | James (27) | James (7) | James (8) | Recap | Boxscore |
| Wed May 15 | Chicago | W, 94-91 | James (26) | Bosh (14) | James (6) | Recap | Boxscore |
Depth Chart
| Position | Depth Order |
|---|---|
| PG | Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole |
| SG | Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Mike Miller |
| SF | LeBron James, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis |
| PF | Udonis Haslem, Chris Andersen |
| C | Chris Bosh, Joel Anthony |
Dwyane Wade returned in the fourth quarter after having his right knee worked on in the locker room and played very well, finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block on 7-of-13 shooting to lead the Heat over the Bulls for a 94-91 win to close out their series and earn a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. They'll likely get the Pacers, who are up 3-1 on the Knicks. Wade looked fantastic after returning, and helped the Heat overcome a late deficit and hang on to win the game. Wade's knee is a mess, but he'll get some much needed time to recuperate as the Knicks and Pacers continue to battle it out in their series. LeBron James finished with 23 points, seven boards, eight assists, two steals and a 3-pointer on 5-of-14 shooting, but also hit 12-of-15 free throws to help seal the deal.
Dwyane Wade, who was very iffy for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Bulls due to his lingering knee injury, left late in the third quarter and went to the locker room to have it looked at. He is back on the bench in the fourth quarter and we're guessing he'll return to the game. But his right knee is a mess and he's wearing a brace to help keep his kneecap in place. The Heat are currently down 77-74 with 10 minutes left in the game.
Updating a previous post, Dwyane Wade (knee) said he will play in Wednesday's Game 5. Wade is considered a game-time decision and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said earlier that Wade would warm up with the intention of playing. Unless there's a setback in warmups, it sounds like he'll be in the lineup as the Heat try to close out the Bulls and avoid heading back to Chicago for Game 6.
Chris Andersen says he was signed with the purpose of guarding Joakim Noah in case the Heat and Bulls met in the playoffs. Andersen said he told Noah that in the hallway after the Bulls halted Miami's 27-game win streak in March. If that's the case, Birdman hadn't exactly been doing a stellar job this series prior to Monday's Game 4. Noah, who is playing through plantar fasciitis, was averaging close to a double-double before Monday's six-point, nine-rebound performance that included 1-of-6 shooting from the field. Andersen has been a pretty useful piece for Miami since joining the Heat, but his impact will be limited to energy and defending the opposing team's big man.
Dwyane Wade (knee) went through shootaround on Wednesday, but he'll be reevaluated before tipoff and is a game-time decision. Wade's knee was good enough for him to go through shootaround, and we can't imagine the team would jeopardize his status by allowing him to participate if he wasn't able to play. It's possible the Heat hold him out as a precaution with a commanding 3-1 lead against a badly injured Bulls team, but we won't get official word until just before tipoff.
Chris Bosh will not change his approach on the inside when battling for rebounds. "Boxing out, there's a bunch of different techniques you can use and everything," Bosh said. "I've really been searching this season to find what works best for me and a lot of times I'm in situations where people only pay attention to numbers. I never really got caught up in that. I just wanted to do whatever it took to help this team win." Bosh's contributions are often overlooked, but there's no doubting his importance to the Heat.
Dwyane Wade (knee) will receive another round of treatment on Tuesday, and he'll be reevaluated before Wednesday's Game 5. Wade doesn't need any additional MRI exams or his knee drained, but the multiple bone bruises are causing him issues. Unfortunately, rest is the only thing that will help Wade, and that's not an option at this point in the playoffs. We're considering him day-to-day in advance of Wednesday's Game 5. For what it's worth, Wade says he will play Wednesday.
Dwyane Wade's knee is structurally sound after multiple MRI exams, but he's dealing with three bone bruises in the knee and is listed as day-to-day That does not sound pleasant, and it isn't. "I'm taping it. When you have a [bone] bruise, you try to move the kneecap over so it won't rub. When you get into game sweat you have to re-tape it a bit," he said. Wade is having to move the kneecap over, and that helps to explain why he's been struggling so badly. LeBron James said Wade is nowhere near full strength, and it's going to be an issue Wade has to deal with for the remainder of the postseason. "It's just frustrating at times and you just do what you can," Wade added.
Dwyane Wade said that resting on Wednesday for Game 5 won't help his ailing knee. In other words, Wade's knee injury is not going to get better for the rest of the playoffs. He's been bothered by right knee issues for months and the long NBA playoffs aren't helping his cause. What's more, the concerns about his right knee could reflect his fantasy value for drafts next year.
Dwyane Wade suffered a right knee injury in the second quarter of Monday's game and returned three minutes later, finishing with six points, three boards, four assists, one steal and one block on 3-of-10 shooting. He appeared to be bothered by the injury and wasn't nearly as aggressive as usual, taking just two of his 10 shots from within 13 feet. The Heat might take it easy on the former Finals MVP and sitting him in Game 5 makes some sense. He should be considered questionable for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Chris Bosh's strong effort from Friday carried over into Monday's win over the Bulls, shooting 7-of-10 from the field for 14 points with six boards, one assist, one steal and four blocks in 35 minutes. Bosh put up 20 points on Friday and his game is clicking at the right time. He's shot at least 50 percent in six of the eight playoff games to go with an impressive 2.0 blocks per game on the other end this postseason. With Dwyane Wade hurting a bit, Bosh stepping up could go a long way.
LeBron James scored a game-high 27 points in Monday's 88-65 victory at Chicago, while adding seven boards, eight assists, two steals and one 3-pointer in 43 minutes. He shot 9-of-20 from the field and 8-of-9 from the line. His free throw shooting has vastly improved lately, making 19-of-20 in his last two games. LeBron's so-so production at the line has really been the only missing piece of the puzzle to his offensive game, so he'll be even tougher to stop should his improvement continue.
Dwyane Wade left Monday's game with an apparent right knee injury and returned after missing three minutes of action. He was posting up on Jimmy Butler and was in pain as he took a fade-away jumper. It didn't look serious, but Wade went to the bench just a moment after the injury occurred. He has been bothered by right knee soreness and Wade clearly isn't back to 100 percent. It'll be worth watching how his knee holds up tonight.
Tony Allen and LeBron James were the leading vote-getters for the 2013 All-Defensive First Team, which also included Chris Paul, Serge Ibaka, Tyson Chandler and Joakim Noah. Marc Gasol, this season's Defensive Player of the Year (as voted by media members), barely cracked the All-Defensive Second Team (as voted by coaches). The Second Team was rounded out by Mike Conley, Avery Bradley, Paul George, and the ageless Tim Duncan. Notable absences include Roy Hibbert, Andre Iguodala, Larry Sanders, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Luol Deng, while Kevin Garnett didn't receive a single vote for either team.
Erik Spoelstra praised Ray Allen, saying he's been "exactly what we wanted this year." "He's a fourth-quarter killer with the mindset that you have to know and be aware of where he is at all times in the fourth quarter," Spoelstra said. Allen averages 10 minutes during the fourth-quarter, the highest average during his 17-year career. "He creates more space for our best players," Spoelstra added.
Dwyane Wade is now wearing a mouthpiece. Wade said he's been "getting hit in the mouth" and as a result has "a lot of cuts in my mouth," and because it's affecting his diet, he's vowed to make the change permanent. Wade will now sport a mouthguard during every game, but it shouldn't impact his play.
Norris Cole shot 6-of-7 from the field for 18 points in Friday's 104-94 win over the Bulls, adding two boards, one assist and three 3-pointers. He's converted all eight attempts from beyond the arc in this series and he's playing head and shoulders better than starter Mario Chalmers (nine points, three assists and three turnovers). Cole is making his case for more minutes and he's been a nice counter to Nate Robinson at the point. Dwyane Wade was also efficient in the win, making 5-of-7 from the field for 10 points with four boards and five assists in 36 minutes.
Chris Bosh set a new career playoff high with 19 boards in Friday's triumph over the Bulls to go with 20 points, four assists, one steal, two blocks and one 3-pointer in 42 minutes. He came to play tonight and the Heat went to him a bunch more on offense -- especially in the first half. Bosh averaged just 7.2 boards per game in his previous six playoffs games this year, so this was certainly an unexpected outburst.
LeBron James struggled with his shot in Friday's 104-94 victory in Chicago, shooting 6-of-17 from the field for 25 points with eight boards, seven assists, two steals and two 3-pointers in 44 minutes. He made his last two field goal attempts including a back-breaking triple. Despite his off night from the field, LeBron was big at the charity stripe, knocking down all 11 attempts. This was his worst offensive outing of the playoffs and was the first time he shot below 42 percent from the field since March 20. Chicago will try to limit him again on Monday for Game 4.
Dwyane Wade didn't look 100 percent in Wednesday's win over the Bulls, playing 28 minutes for 15 points, three boards, five assists and one turnover on 7-of-11 shooting. The stat line doesn't really tell the story and Chicago didn't feel like playing defense tonight. Wade was a bit apprehensive with the ball, but he got stronger as the game progressed. He'll get Thursday off and he should be ready for Game 3 in Chicago on Friday. Chris Bosh had a better game with 13 points, five boards, three assists and one block on 5-of-10 shooting.
Ray Allen made all 10 free throws attempts in Game 2's 115-78 win over the Bulls and had a game-high 21 points with three boards, one steal, one block, one 3-pointer and no turnovers in 19 minutes. He set his season high for free throw makes on the opening night of the regular season with seven and made averaged just 1.8 per game all year. Allen has stepped it up in the playoffs and he's scored at least 20 points in three of the six games. He scored at least 20 in just seven of his 79 games this regular season. Miami hasn't played many close games, but it's nice to see that one of the best shooters ever still has it.
LeBron James hit all six of his field goals in the first quarter of Wednesday's 115-78 win over the Bulls, finishing with 19 points, five boards, nine assists, three steals and one 3-pointer on 7-of-12 shooting. The Heat did almost whatever they wanted on offense to earn the largest margin of victory in the history of their franchise. They shot a whopping 60 percent from the field, made 9-of-18 from downtown, had 29 assists as a team, put up 20 fastbreak points and scored 56 points in the paint. LeBron did make just 4-of-8 from the line and dropped his free throw shooting in the postseason to 70.2 percent, but that's just nitpicking. Tom Thibodeau doesn't necessarily want LeBron at the foul line and his Bulls will have to go back to the drawing board and limit Miami's easy buckets.
LeBron James said he wouldn't be surprised if he's asked to defend Bulls dynamo Nate Robinson late in games. This is the beauty of LeBron. The 6-foot-8 James is so versatile he can match up against swingmen, centers and even 5-foot-9 guards. In most cases, that'll usually end whatever success the opposition is having. If anything, Robinson should feel slightly honored the Heat decided to use the MVP to shut him down, which he most assuredly will. We're definitely looking forward to seeing how Heat coach Erik Spoelstra decides to slow down Robinson in Game 2.
Chris Bosh shot 3-of-10 from the field for nine points with six boards, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 28 minutes. He had a good series against the Bucks, making 53.8 percent from the field, but obviously Tom Thibodeau's Bulls are a much more worthy adversary. Bosh had a solid year against the Bulls in his four games, but he'll need to turn it around a bit for Miami to not get stunned again.
Dwyane Wade played 33 minutes in Monday's 93-86 loss to the Bulls with 14 points, two rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block on 7-of-16 from the field. He was aggressive at shooting with ball with 12 of his 16 shots coming from within nine feet, but Wade did show that he was dealing with his knee injury. His three turnovers led the team, but the Heat played their best ball while Wade was on the floor. His knee injury will likely be monitored leading up to Game 2 on Wednesday.
LeBron James scored 24 points in Monday's Game 1 loss to the Bulls, while adding eight boards, seven assists, two steals, one block and one 3-pointer in 44 minutes. He was dominant against the Bulls during the regular season, shooting 63.8 percent from the field for 28.0 points per game in his four games against them, so this is a surprising stat line. LeBron just scored two points in the first half and the Heat couldn't get their jumpers to fall before halftime. Amazingly, they only turned the ball over eight times, but they only had 32 points in the paint. After Miami cruised through the first round, they actually have a series on their hands here.
Dwyane Wade (knee) is officially listed as a starter for Game 1 vs. the Bulls. Erik Spoelstra did his best to disguise Wade's status leading up to the game, but there was never any doubt that he'd be active. With Kirk Hinrich sidelined by a bruised calf, Wade should have an easier time scoring against Marco Belinelli and the Bulls' depleted backcourt.
Jarvis Varnado (calf) went through shootaround on Monday. He won't play in the playoffs but now everyone on the Heat is healthy.
Dwyane Wade (knee) is expected to play in Game 1 vs. Chicago on Monday and confirmed that he's "good to go" in shootaround. Erik Spoelstra has been cryptic with Wade's health, but beat writer Ira Winderman reports Wade will start on Monday as expected. Wade's knee is worth monitoring as the playoffs move forward, but he's in no danger of missing any time right now. After participating in shootaround, Wade is on track to play in Game 1.
James is the overwhelming choice as the NBA's Most Valuable Player. The Miami Heat star took 120 of 121 first-place votes in this year's balloting, giving him the award for the fourth time. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant finished second and the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony was third. James' selection was not unanimous, despite plenty of suggestions from people around the league in recent weeks that he was worthy of that honor. Anthony received the only other first-place vote from a panel of broadcasters and sports writers who cover the league.
LeBron James was officially named the NBA's Most Valuable Player Sunday. James received 120 of the 121 first-place votes with Carmelo Anthony getting one vote. He is the youngest player in NBA history to win four MVPs and is making his case as one of the best players ever. LeBron was simply unstoppable this season, leading the NBA with field goals despite ranking seventh in attempts. He shot an impressive 40.6 percent from beyond the arc this year, came in second for Defensive Player of the Year and his 8.0 assists per game led all non-PG players. The Heat rattled off 27 consecutive wins this year and are expected to win back-to-back NBA titles thanks largely to LeBron's spectacular play.
Dwyane Wade (knee) went through full-contact practice on Sunday, and he still expects to play in Monday's Game 1. Wade is officially listed as day-to-day but all signs point to him being in the starting lineup when Miami returns from their week-long hiatus to face the visiting Bulls.
James says he's humbled to keep the company he will join by winning the NBA's Most Valuable Player award for a fourth time. A formal announcement is planned Sunday, the eve of the Eastern Conference semifinals for the Miami Heat. The honor will vault James into an elite category shared by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, the only other players to win the award at least four times. James' other MVPs came in 2009, 2010 and 2012. He joins Russell as the only players to win the award four times in five years and Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to twice win the award in consecutive seasons. After practice Saturday, James said his primary goal remained helping the Heat win a second successive NBA title.
Dwyane Wade (knee) practiced in full again Saturday and is all but certain to be in the lineup for Monday's Game 1. Wade said Saturday he feels even better and at this point it would be shocking if he didn't start Monday night. Wade is playing through pain from a bone bruise, which we imagine has been helped by the Heat's ample amount of rest following a first-round sweep.
James is getting his fourth Most Valuable Player award - and the only mystery left is whether the vote was unanimous. No one has ever swept every first-place vote in the NBA's MVP balloting. After the season he had, James could be the first. He averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists this season, shooting a career-best 56 percent. The Miami Heat star will be introduced Sunday as the award winner, according to a person familiar with the results and who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league has not publicly announced the result. James will become the fifth player with at least four MVP awards, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
LeBron James will be formally named the NBA's Most Valuable Player Sunday. James joins Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players ever with at least four MVP awards. This year's balloting shouldn't even be close. James ranked fourth in points per game (26.8), 21st in rebounds (8.0), 10th in assists (7.3) and fourth in field-goal percentage (56.5). The Heat had the NBA's best record at 66-16, a mark that included a 27-game win streak -- the second longest run in league history. Still just 28 years old, James is compiling a resume of truly historic proportions.
Dwyane Wade (knee) is fully expected to play in Monday's Game 1. Unlike last year, Wade played through the playoffs with a left knee injury that eventually needed surgery. This year is totally different, as he's just dealing with pain from a bone bruise. Wade did practice on Friday as the Heat await their second-round opponent. They'll face the exhausted winner of the Nets/Bulls series.
Wade has returned to the practice court and says he's encouraged about how his troublesome right knee feels, with the Miami Heat still three days away from starting the second round of the playoffs. Following a rigorous practice Friday, Wade said the injury's something he has to play through, and while he's not 100 percent, he's grateful he can be on the court. The practice was the first for Wade since last week. He has been dealing with bone bruises around his right kneecap for more than a month, and sat out the Heat's series-clinching win Sunday at Milwaukee.
Jarvis Varnado (calf) did not practice, but he did conditioning drills on Friday. The news every owner has been waiting for is finally here. Varnado's health has zero impact on Miami's playoff run or on fantasy basketball playoff leagues.
Dwyane Wade (knee) returned to practice on Friday, but he remains day-to-day. Wade is preparing for the second round, and it's good to hear he's made progress for two straight days. His participation in practice this far out from Monday's next game is certainly encouraging, and at this point it would be a surprise if he had to miss Game 1 of the second round.
Haslem's home in South Florida has been burglarized, although authorities say it's not clear if anything was taken. According to a Broward Sheriff's Office report released Thursday, someone broke into the house April 13 by prying open a side garage door. Deputies responded after a home alarm activated, but no one was inside when they arrived. Closets in the house had been ransacked and alarm boxes had been ripped off the walls. Deputies say some belongings were found in trash bags and other valuable items were left untouched.
Dwyane Wade (knee) did not practice for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, but Erik Spoelstra said he's "making progress." Miami swept Milwaukee out of the first round, so the team is rewarded with ample rest and time in order for Wade to prepare himself to play. It's not clear if Wade would be ready to play if there were a game today, but his knee is structurally sound and he went through a more serious case of knee soreness last season when Miami won a title. We should know more about Wade's availability over the next 48 hours.
Dwyane Wade (knee) remains day-to-day, according to Erik Spoelstra. Wade did "some conditioning" on Tuesday, and the Heat will take it very slow with Wade as the team prepares for the second round. It's too early to tell whether or not Wade will play in Game 1 next round, but clearly Miami is treating him with kid gloves at this stage of the season.
James was spectacular in Sunday's Game 4 win over the Bucks. James had 30 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. He faces Brooklyn or Chicago in the next round in his quest for another title.
Dwyane Wade said that he expects to be ready for this weekend. He got his ankles taped up in the pre-game today, but the Heat wisely kept him out of the lineup. Wade also had a small issue with his arm, but the primary concern is with his right knee. The Nets and Bulls could go at least six with a Brooklyn win on Monday, so the Heat might be rooting for Deron Williams and Brook Lopez.
Ray Allen made four 3-pointers in Sunday's 88-77 win over the Bucks, scoring 16 points, seven boards, one steal and one turnover. He set the record earlier in the series for most career 3-pointers in the postseason and he's been a big part of Miami's success while Dwyane Wade recovers from his ailing knee. Allen hit five 3-pointers in Game 3 on Thursday and he's a great complementary piece on the perimeter with LeBron James slashing to the basket.
LeBron James was in complete control on Sunday to finish the sweep of the Bucks with 30 points, eight boards, seven assists, three steals, one block and five turnovers on 13-of-20 shooting. The Heat are on fire and saying they're one of the hottest teams in the history of the NBA isn't exactly hyperbole. They've gone 41-2 over their last 43 games and continue to shoot the ball efficiently with tough defense. LeBron steamrolled the Bucks, shooting 62.7 percent from the field and 6.8 assists per game during the four-game sweep. Miami hasn't even missed Dwyane Wade (knee) this year and they went 12-2 in games without their second-best player. It's certainly not a stretch to think Miami will sweep the winner of the Brooklyn-Chicago series.
Updating a previous item, Dwyane Wade (knee) will not play and Mike Miller will start for Game 4 on Sunday. He was also dealing with an apparent forearm injury in pre-game and the Heat are going to take it easy on the former NBA Finals MVP. Miller has come on strong as the Heat rested their players down the stretch with regular-season April averages of 12.1 points, 5.1 boards, 3.2 triples and 0.7 steals in 27.2 minutes. Wade should be ready for Game 1 of the second round
Dwyane Wade (knee) is preparing to play in Sunday's Game 4 in Milwaukee. He is getting his ankles taped and icing his knee as part of his pre-game routine today. Wade looks to be a good bet to play, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to play his usual 34.7 minutes per game. The Heat might not need him after demolishing the Bucks for the majority of this series.
Dwyane Wade (knee) remains a game-time decision on Sunday vs. Milwaukee. Erik Spoelstra would not reveal who would start in Wade's place if he sits, but our guess is that it's either Mike Miller or Ray Allen. The Heat will likely go with Miller if they want to keep Allen in a sixth man role, but either way both players figure to see extended minutes if Wade sits.
Chris Bosh is dealing with soreness in his legs and he missed most of Saturday's practice. Bosh was able to do "a little something" and his status appears to be a go for Sunday's Game 4. He was very active in Game 3 with 14 boards in 34 minutes, so perhaps the extra work after getting some rest down the stretch made him a bit sore. He should be ready to go as Miami looks to send Milwaukee on summer vacation.
Dwyane Wade (knee) is a game-time decision for Sunday's Game 4 against the Bucks and he missed most of Saturday's practice. The Heat have him listed as day-to-day and it wouldn't be a crazy idea to sit Wade down. They probably won't even need him, but with the Nets and Bulls possibly going six games, Wade will have plenty of time to recover. His knee isn't 100 percent and the Heat do have some depth behind him with Mike Miller turning in a solid April.
Updating a previous item, Dwyane Wade (knee) is officially listed as day-to-day. Per beat writer Michael Wallace, Erik Spoelstra "would not say" if resting Wade for a game is an option, so obviously it's time to be a little concerned regarding Wade's health. He's shown a keen ability to get the proper treatment and keep himself healthy through the postseason in prior seasons, but Wade's injury should motivate Miami to go for the sweep in Game 4 vs. Milwaukee. Ray Allen or Mike Miller could start in Wade's place if he is forced to the sidelines.
Wade added 14 for the Heat in Monday's 93-86 Game 1 loss to Chicago in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Wade (sore knee) didn't t start Game 4 in the first round as Miami knocked out Milwaukee.
Dwyane Wade's knee is becoming a bigger concern after he admitted that he's "not even close" to full strength. Wade noticeably grimaced in the second quarter of Game 3 and was never quite right afterward. "I'm not where I want to be," he said. "I'm still able to push through certain things." It's now a tender right knee for Wade, and while it will take something more than soreness to keep Wade sidelined, the Heat will have extra incentive to sweep the Bucks and get Wade as much rest as possible before round two.
LeBron James admitted to being upset about not winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Whether or not he was deserving, James is going to get glossed over annually because of his prowess on the offensive end of the floor. "It sucks," he said. "Who wants to finish second?" Maybe LeBron will use this as extra ammunition for next season when he's guaranteed to be in the discussion for the award again.
LeBron James shot 9-of-14 from the field for a game-high 22 points in Thursday's Game 3 104-91 win over the Bucks, adding five boards, six assists and two 3-pointers. The Heat also beat the Bucks by 13 on March 15 and they've been road warriors for quite a while. Their point differential since February 2 was plus-9.8 and they'll have their eyes on a sweep on Sunday. As for LeBron, after scoring at least 25 points in 17 consecutive games, he's failed to hit that mark in each of his last two games. Obviously, he's fine.
Dwyane Wade shot 1-of-12 from the field for four points, while adding nine boards, 11 assists, five steals and two blocks in 36 minutes in Thursday's Game 3 win. Nine of his 12 attempts came from within 10 feet and while the shooting numbers were ugly, Wade looked to be fairly healthy and active vs. Milwaukee. He said his knee isn't all the way back, but he should be good to go for Sunday's Game 4.
Allen has broken Reggie Miller's record for 3-pointers in the NBA playoffs. Allen's fourth 3 in the Miami Heat's game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night gave him 321 for his career, one more than the former Indiana Pacers great. Allen set the record with 8:35 to play, then added his fifth of the night a few minutes later. His record will stand for at least a season. Kobe Bryant is third on the list with 292, but he's out for the playoffs.
Shane Battier (chin) will play in Game 3 vs. the Bucks on Thursday. Battier took a hard shot in Game 2, which caused a gash that required stitches, but he's in no danger of being limited as Miami seeks a vice-grip lead on their first-round series.
Chris Andersen's agent said his client would like to re-sign with the Heat. What else is he going to say? "We're certainly hopeful," he said. Birdman is playing on a veteran's minimum contract this year, but he should be able to parlay his production in Miami into a greater deal during the offseason.
James finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting to Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. James had 149 points and 18 first-place votes.
Shane Battier received four stitches for a chin laceration on Tuesday. He got a face-full of Larry Sanders in a collision in the fourth quarter. Battier is fine and was joking around in the post-game press conference, so he should resume his usual role with the second unit.
Dwyane Wade scored a team-high 21 points with seven boards, three assists and two steals on 8-of-14 shooting in Tuesday's 98-86 Game 2 win over the Bucks. The game was surprisingly close and Miami was only up three points at the end of the fourth quarter. As per usual, Miami turned up the intensity in the fourth and they led in the NBA in home differential at 3.2 per game. Wade said his knee isn't all the way back, but it was vintage Wade with six of his seven field goals coming from within two feet of the hoop in the win. Miami dominated the offensive glass over Milwaukee with a 12-4 advantage. The Heat will look to take a 3-0 lead in Milwaukee on Thursday.
LeBron James shot 6-of-14 from the field for 19 points with eight boards, six assists, one steal and four turnovers in 39 minutes against the Bucks on Tuesday. He snapped a 17-game postseason streak of scoring at least 25 points and shot below 50 percent for the first time since March 20th. LeBron's teams have gone up 2-0 10 times in the past and they have gone a perfect 10-0. The Bucks have absolutely no answer for him and this series is shaping up to be a sweep.
The Heat will use the same starting five in Game 2 as they did in Game 1. Coach Erik Spoelstra is sticking with his "big" lineup that features LeBron James at the small forward spot. The starters are Mario Chalmers, Dwyane Wade, James, Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh. Chalmers was a +16 in just 22 minutes on Sunday night.
Chris Andersen hit all four of his shots and finished with 10 points and seven rebounds in Sunday's easy Game 1 win over the Bucks. Birdman didn't block a shot, but provided energy and offense off the bench. He could be a factor for the Heat all the way through the playoffs.
Mike Miller didn't get off the bench in Sunday's easy win over the Bucks. Miller was on fire down the stretch of the regular season while LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were getting rest, but Erik Spoelstra chose to give him the night off. This is a concern for those of you who drafted him in playoff leagues, but he could easily bounce back and hit some threes in Game 2.
Ray Allen hit 6-of-13 shots and two 3-pointers on his way to 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in an easy Game 1 win over the Bucks. Allen played very well and his outside shooting should be a key for the Heat as they plan on making a run deep into the playoffs.
Dwyane Wade had 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block on 5-of-12 shooting in Sunday's easy Game 1 win over the Bucks. Wade wasn't too flashy tonight as the Heat sat back and watched LeBron James hit 9-of-11 shots on a very efficient night. Wade will have his share of big playoff games for the Heat, but tonight wasn't one of them.
LeBron James messed around and just missed a triple-double in Sunday's easy 110-87 Game 1 win over the Bucks, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists on 9-of-11 shooting. LeBron sat out the final few minutes with the game well in hand, although he failed to record a steal or block a shot, and also committed five turnovers. The Heat rolled over the Bucks in Game 1 and it's hard to envision Milwaukee winning a game in this series, as long as Bron and Dwyane Wade are healthy.
Udonis Haslem will start at power forward for the Heat on Sunday. Shane Battier will come off the bench, so those that picked Miami to cover the 13.5-point spread tonight should adjust accordingly. The Bucks might be one of the biggest underdogs in the history of the NBA Playoffs after Miami went 30-2 after the All-Star break, which is the best ever.
Dwyane Wade (knee) went through shootaround as expected and will play in Game 1 vs. Milwaukee. This is really more of an FYI than anything else. Wade was always expected to be in the lineup and he went through practice on Saturday before taking part in shootaround on Sunday. He's in no danger of missing this one.
Pat Riley says he wants to keep LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh together if the trio choose to re-sign in 2014. Riley, who noted the possibility of a lucrative local TV contract, said the team has already had "internal discussions" about re-signing Miami's Big Three despite the restrictive luxury tax in the new CBA. When asked if it's something he'll definitely pursue, Riley deferred owner Micky Arison because of the likely tax penalties that would come with keeping the trio. James, Wade and Bosh can each opt out of their deals after the 2013-14 season.
Dwyane Wade (knee) went through most of practice Saturday and is good to go for Game 1 on Sunday. The Heat rested Wade a lot over the final three weeks to make sure he'd be good to go for the playoffs. He should be as close to 100 percent as possible and we expect him to play every night if his body allows.
Dwyane Wade (knee) will play in Game 1 against the Bucks. Wade sat out the contact portion of Friday's practice, but it's not a real concern. After skipping nine of the final 14 regular season games, he should be pretty fresh. Wade didn't miss a single playoff game a year ago.
Miller had 21 points in Wednesday's 105-93 win over Orlando. Miller, who made six 3-pointers, went 33 for 62 (53.2 percent) from beyond the arc over Miami's last 10 games.
Norris Cole played 41 minutes in Miami's 105-93 win over the Magic on Wednesday, shooting 4-of-10 from the field for nine points with three boards, seven assists and two steals. He flirted with a triple-double on Monday, so this was a bit of a letdown for those that picked him up. Cole didn't really make any strides in his sophomore year and is unlikely to get more than 20 minutes per game in the postseason with Mike Miller playing well.
Mike Miller hit six 3-pointers in Wednesday's win over the Magic, scoring 21 points with two boards, six assists and one steal in 31 minutes. It's hard to believe, but there are going to be a lot of fantasy championships won thanks to Mike Miller. He hit 3.2 triples per game in his nine April contests while hitting an impressive 51 percent of his field goal attempts in that span. Miller might be a factor in the rotation as the Heat make a run at an NBA title.
Dwyane Wade played 23 minutes on Wednesday and hit 9-of-15 shots for 23 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. He wanted to get some real run in prior to the playoffs and accomplished that tonight, as the rest of the Heat regulars took the night off. He'll be ready to go against the Bucks in Round 1 of the playoffs, despite getting some ice on his knee once he shut it down for the night in this one.
In a late lineup change, Chris Bosh is out of the starting lineup and has been replaced by Udonis Haslem. That will leave Dwyane Wade as the lone regular starter as he attempts to work on his conditioning. If you were planning on using Bosh tonight, it's probably best to find another option.
Mario Chalmers (rest) will not play against the Magic on Wednesday. He'll get some extra rest as the Heat get ready for the playoffs. Chalmers is more of a secondary piece for Miami and played 26.9 minutes per game with 8.6 points and 3.5 assists. Norris Cole was terrific on Monday and flirted with a triple-double, so he's someone that makes for a strong start against Orlando tonight.
Dwyane Wade is expected to play in Wednesday's season finale for the Heat. There's not telling how many minutes he'll get or what his role will be, but he joked that he was going for the scoring title. He also said he was going to work on getting his conditioning in order for the playoffs.
LeBron James is away on a personal matter and is not expected to play on Wednesday. James was never expected to play so this shouldn't be a surprise. James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony are all sitting out for their respective teams, and for those teams that have clinched their spots, it's not going to be a heavy night for the starters if they play at all. Miami will roll out a B-level team once again. Per Erik Spoelstra, "everyone else is a game-time decision."
Norris Cole scored 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting (including two threes) with 11 rebounds, nine assists, one steal and one block in the Heat's win over the Cavs on Monday. Cole also stole the ball from Kyrie Irving on the game's final play to secure the win. Expecting this production from Cole in the season finale is inadvisable even if Mario Chalmers sits out a game, but there's enough for owners to grab onto here to take a long look at picking him up.
Rashard Lewis scored 19 points on 5-of-13 shooting (including three treys) with three rebounds, one steal and one block in a start at small forward on Monday. Lewis and Mike Miller (11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three treys) are owners' safer bets for value during the Heat's finale, though Norris Cole certainly added his name to the list with tonight's near triple-double. If you want to dig a bit deeper, you can look at James Jones (14 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, two threes) and Chris Andersen (seven points, three boards, two blocks).
Cole finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists in Monday's 96-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cole played his college ball in Cleveland State so it's always a big deal when he comes to town with the Miami Heat.
Lewis matched a season high with 19 points in Monday's 96-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lewis is getting more minutes in the final week with LeBron James resting what is officially an 'injury.'
Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier and Udonis Haslem have also been ruled out for the Heat on Monday, in addition to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. That leaves a starting lineup of Norris Cole, Mike Miller, Juwan Howard, Rashard Lewis and Joel Anthony tonight, while guys like Chris Andersen and Ray Allen could come off the bench, if they're not also being rested.
Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will all sit out Monday's game against the Cavaliers. Juwan Howard will start, while Mike Miller and Mario Chalmers look like safe starts, assuming they are starting and playing heavy minutes.
Bosh will be rested for Miami's game Monday at Cleveland. Coach Erik Spoelstra has decided to rest Bosh, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers and other top players.
Wade didn't make the trip to Cleveland for Monday's game and will rest. Coach Erik Spoelstra has decided to rest the superstar along with Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Mario Chalmers and other top players.
James scored 27 points on 9 for 11 shooting and finished two assists shy of a triple-double in Miami's playoff opener, a 110-87 rout of Milwaukee on Sunday. The Heat star spent much of the end of the regular season dealing with a sore right hamstring.
Beat writer Ira Winderman doubts that Chris Bosh will play for the Heat on Monday, although an official decision will likely come down around 5:15 p.m. Dwyane Wade is out and LeBron James is doubtful, as the Heat rest with nothing left to play for. At this point, it would be quite surprising to see Bosh on the court tonight. Guys like Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller look like pretty strong plays again.
Shane Battier did not travel to Cleveland will not play on Monday vs. the Cavs. The Heat are already going to be without Dwyane Wade and likely LeBron James, meaning Chris Bosh will get his chance to star in the show if he plays. Mike Miller should get a lot of run with both Wade and Battier seated, with Ray Allen also seeing extended minutes.
LeBron James returned to action on Sunday April 14.
Mike Miller continued his productive April on Sunday in Miami's 105-93 win over Chicago, scoring 11 points with six boards, four assist, two steals and three 3-pointers in 29 minutes. His April averages include 11.0 points, 5.0 boards and 2.9 triples in seven games. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are both unlikely to play on Monday and Miller should be good for double-digit scoring and a couple threes against Cleveland's soft defense. It's worth noting that Miller was out of the rotation in March and he's probably earned some playoff minutes for the top-ranked Heat.
Mario Chalmers scored 15 points with three boards, five assists, one steal and two 3-pointers in 32 minutes against the Bulls on Sunday. The Heat are going to sit LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on Monday, so Chalmers should have the ball in his hands a lot against Cleveland. The Cavs allow the highest field goal percentage in the NBA and there's a chance that Chalmers turns in a big line. Although, there's a chance he will sit out, as well.
Dwyane Wade (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Cavs. There's really no reason for the Heat to play Wade on a back-to-back set. He looked good in Sunday's win with 22 points, four boards, four assists, two steals and two blocks in 37 minutes vs. Chicago. The 37 minutes are a good sign and are the most he's played since March 27. We're not holding our breath for Wade to play on Wednesday either, which makes Mike Miller a decent pickup in standard leagues.
LeBron James is unlikely to play against Cleveland on Monday and Dwyane Wade has been ruled out. It's going to be fan appreciation night in Cleveland and the fans that were looking forward to booing him all game will be disappointed. LeBron had yet another efficient game on Sunday, shooting 7-of-12 from the field for 24 points with seven boards, six assists, one steal and one 3-pointer. He leads the NBA in field goals despite ranking just sixth in attempts, thanks to torrid field goal shooting of 57 percent. He has a shot to be the unanimous MVP this year.
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On eve of Game 4, Wade remains 'day to day'
Apr 27, 6:21PM
Allen, Heat up 3-0 after 104-91 win over Bucks
Apr 25, 11:28PM
MemphisÂ’ Gasol wins NBA defensive player honors
Apr 24, 3:16PM
AP Source: Cavs, Mike Brown agree to deal
Apr 23, 7:11PM
James has 27, Heat top Bucks 110-87 in Game 1
Apr 22, 3:44PM
Cavs fire Byron Scott after 24-win season
Apr 18, 6:26PM
Heat roll again, top Celtics 109-101
Apr 12, 11:08PM
Haslem, Battier out for Heat-Celtics game
Apr 12, 11:42AM
Injured Wade remains sidelined for Heat
Apr 9, 6:43PM
LeBron returns to Heat lineup, Wade still out
Apr 6, 7:54PM
James, Wade, Chalmers out for Heat-Knicks
Apr 2, 7:08PM
James, Wade, Chalmers out for Heat against Spurs
Mar 31, 8:09PM
Heat's winning streak ends at 27 in Chicago
Mar 28, 3:34AM
Heat's winning streak ends at 27 in Chicago
Mar 28, 2:14AM
Miami Heat history is coming soon!
Miami Heat message board is coming soon!
Transactions
| Date | Player | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 2013 | Howard, Juwan, PF | Signed for the Rest of the Season |
| Mar 12, 2013 | Howard, Juwan, PF | Signed to 2nd 10-Day Contract |
| Mar 2, 2013 | Howard, Juwan, PF | Signed to 10-Day Contract |
| Feb 8, 2013 | Andersen, Chris, PF | Signed for the Rest of the Season |
| Jan 30, 2013 | Andersen, Chris, PF | Signed to 2nd 10-Day Contract |
| Jan 30, 2013 | Varnado, Jarvis, F | Signed for the Rest of the Season |
| Jan 21, 2013 | Harrellson, Josh, PF | 10-Day Contract Expired; Player Not Re-Signed |
| Jan 20, 2013 | Andersen, Chris, PF | Signed to 10-Day Contract |
| Jan 20, 2013 | Varnado, Jarvis, F | Signed to 2nd 10-Day Contract |
| Jan 10, 2013 | Harrellson, Josh, PF | Signed to 10-Day Contract |
| Jan 9, 2013 | Varnado, Jarvis, F | Signed to 10-Day Contract |
| Jan 7, 2013 | Harrellson, Josh, PF | Waived |
| Jan 5, 2013 | Harris, Terrel, SG | Waived |
| Dec 29, 2012 | Wade, Dwyane, G | Reinstated from Suspension |
| Dec 27, 2012 | Wade, Dwyane, G | League Suspension One game for kicking Ramon Sessions |
| Oct 27, 2012 | Temple, Garrett, G | Waived |
| Oct 26, 2012 | Carney, Rodney, SG | Waived |
| Oct 26, 2012 | Varnado, Jarvis, F | Waived |
| Oct 21, 2012 | Dozier, Robert, F | Waived |
| Oct 21, 2012 | Gladness, Mickell, PF | Waived |
| Oct 2, 2012 | Cole, Norris, PG | Exercised Contract Option |
| Sep 27, 2012 | Carney, Rodney, SG | Signed as Free Agent |
| Sep 27, 2012 | Dozier, Robert, F | Signed as Free Agent |
| Sep 17, 2012 | Harrellson, Josh, PF | Signed as Free Agent |
| Sep 13, 2012 | Temple, Garrett, G | Signed as Free Agent |
| Sep 10, 2012 | Harris, Terrel, SG | Re-Signed |
| Sep 7, 2012 | Gladness, Mickell, PF | Signed as Free Agent |
| Sep 7, 2012 | Varnado, Jarvis, F | Signed as Free Agent |
| Aug 15, 2012 | Hamilton, Justin, C | Signed to Play in Europe |
| Jul 11, 2012 | Allen, Ray, SG | Signed as Free Agent |
| Jul 11, 2012 | Lewis, Rashard, F | Signed as Free Agent |
| Jul 1, 2012 | Curry, Eddy, C | Declared Free Agency |
| Jul 1, 2012 | Howard, Juwan, PF | Declared Free Agency |
| Jul 1, 2012 | Turiaf, Ronny, PF | Declined to Pick Up Option Declined to pick up player option |
| Jun 28, 2012 | Hamilton, Justin, C | Traded Part of draft day trade |
| Jun 1, 2012 | Pittman, Dexter, C | Reinstated from Suspension |
| May 28, 2012 | Haslem, Udonis, PF | Reinstated from Suspension |
| May 23, 2012 | Haslem, Udonis, PF | League Suspension One game for striking an opposing player |
| May 23, 2012 | Pittman, Dexter, C | League Suspension Three games for striking opposing player |
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