Wade Will Get Some Rest For His 30th Birthday

Dwyane Wade turns 30 this Tuesday, but so does his right ankle which was badly sprained in a loss to Denver Friday night.

No timetable is slated as of yet, but things won’t be rushed:

“He’s up walking around … but we’re not going to put a timetable on when he’ll come back,” Spoelstra said. “Thankfully, he’s not in a cast or a boot. So we’ll see how he responds each day, and we’ll go from there.”

Add this to the pile of things wrong with Wade. A bruised left foot, strained calf, and now the ankle, are all the things “old man” Wade is dealing with.

In all honesty, the best policy for the Heat right now would be to give Wade the time he needs to get fully healed and return to action at his own pace. Israel Gutierrez agrees. This team is playoff bound on talent alone and although seeding is always important, in such a short season just getting in is crucial. Right now the Heat are in a dead heat with the Hawks and the Magic, but realistically which of those teams are better than the Heat?

Run DLC is Now Limp DLC: Injuries Slow Down Heat

Three losses in a row, but can anyone really be worried? Sure, it is tough to win games on the road in the Association, but it is also tough to win anything without your main player. Or, main players.

Reportedly, not only did Lebron James and Chris Bosh not give it a go in practice but also Dwyane Wade, too.

The question now becomes, is RUN DLC bigger than the franchise? It is coincedental that Lebron and Bosh tweaked ankles. Bosh went down in the Bulls loss, and James was staying out for precautionary reasons. Still, the Heat put up a good fight but they looked like they were going to win not because of how they were playing but because of who was on their side. Of course, 2 of the 3 superstars weren’t on the court at the end of the game and is probably the reason why they just looked sluggish out there.

Criticism mounts that the Heat didn’t look like they wanted to win. Probably. A little weary after a long road trip, but one in which they passed the tests placed before them – for the most part. The injuries do have an effect.

So, now it remains to be seen how the Heat respond as they mend. How quickly will they mend? Lebron could be back for Tuesday’s game. The Heat’s frontline is a problem, as Ethan J. Skolnick has pondered over at the Palm Beach Post. The Heat is thin up front and if Lebron is not a go for the Hawks, then we may see a Heat small ball lineup.

Take this kind of talent off any NBA roster and yes, you will see a different team emerge. Worry? No. The Heat just want to get their team gelled and playing right when playoff time comes around. On the positive side of this, Mike Miller will get more PT – and he can use it.

Jerry Stackhouse Moves to Miami

Another day, another big name. So it would seem.

Mike Miller goes down with a thumb injury, requiring surgery, and he won’t return until January. Shrug, no problem. The Heat just go out and add Jerry Stackhouse.

Now, there is no way that you can compare the two. Miller is in his prime while Stackhouse is, well, out of it. Sure, he can still play and he is reportedly in good shape. That said, he hasn’t practiced with the team yet so expect a slow transition for him in regards to working him into this rotation. In fact, this is a move made to secure a bit of insurance and some depth. The Heat did release Patrick Beverley and Da’Sean Butler – two young players the Heat brass could help them out in the long run.

Still, the Heat don’t have to commit to Stack. His contract is not guaranteed and he would, to be sure, love to play alongside Run DLC to get some key playing time and a shot at a title. So, the incentive is all on Stack now. If the Heat don’t like what they see, they can always gamble on someone else.

In fact, I suspect James Jones is loving this. His wrist is healthy, and he was shooting pretty comfortably throughout the preseason from three point range. His shot was coming off quick, and he was getting great releases and excellent spacing to shoot. Look for him to climb into Miller’s role and really thrive here in the early on. If he plays well, he could keep the spot even when Miller returns, who will have to rehab his way and get ready just in time for the playoffs.

Wade Out Against Celtics

ESPN was billing it as Wade vs. the Celtics, but it didn’t happen. Due to a nagging hip strain injury, Dwyane Wade was scratched tonight from the road game. For the Heat, it is a crucial game to help them keep pace with the Atlanta Hawks for that 4th spot.

The Celtics are without Kevin Garnett, expected to return Friday, and Ray Allen. Couldn’t be a better time to get Wade a rest, actually.

Talk Heat/Celtics with us.

Jamaal Magloire Returns As Heat Wind Down Road Trip

The Heat will close down their road trip looking for one final win tonight against the Utah Jazz at 9:00pm.

They will be doing so with a big boost – literally. Jamaal Magloire returns for the Heat tonight from his injury and will look to get some early crucial minutes against the Jazz frontline.

The Heat have had a solid west coast road trip. They got blown out by the Trailblazers, who jumped all over them with 37 points in the first quarter, but the Heat responded by getting wins in Phoenix and Golden State. They lost a tough game by one point, 97-96, against the Clippers. Tonight, they will look to creep over the .500 mark on the road trip with a win against the Jazz.

Talk Heat basketball with us on the boards.

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