Dwyane Wade’s Absence Taking Costly Toll on Inconsistent Miami Heat

April 5th, 2014 by Zach Buckley Leave a reply »

The Miami Heat seem to be figuring out how to live without having Dwyane Wade in the lineup, but their postseason survival is dependent on getting the 10-time All-Star right.

Wade sat out Miami's marathon 122-121 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday, the fifth straight game he's missed with a strained left hamstring. He's lost 25 games on the season to a medley of ailments, including nagging bone bruises in his right knee, nerve irritation in his right foot and migraine headaches.

After dropping six of the first 11 games without Wade this season, the Heat have picked up 11 victories in his last 12 absences. Spot starter Toney Douglas, acquired in a three-team deal near the trade deadline, has helped Miami tread water while Wade has endured more rigorous training sessions.

But Chris Bosh and LeBron James didn't flock to South Beach in 2010 to suit up alongside the great Toney Douglas. Heck, Douglas was no closer to Miami's back-to-back title runs than anyone with a couch and a flat screen.

Wade can be the boost this struggling Heat team (9-9 in its last 18 games) needs to pull off a suc ...

Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
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