Wade Expected to Play
Soreness sidelined Dwyane Wade in the Miami Heat’s last contest. Only a day later, he will attempt to finish two games in one night.
After missing the Heat’s latest loss, Wade is expected to play against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night in both a regularly scheduled game and the resumption of a suspended matchup from December.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Atlanta -8 point spread favorites (NBA Odds) for today’s game, the over/under has been set at 202 total points (Matchup). Our public betting information shows that 71% of bets for this game have been placed on Atlanta -8 (View NBA Bet Percentages).
Wade sat out Miami’s 134-99 loss to Golden State on Friday night due to what the team called general soreness.
The All-Star guard has been playing with pain in his surgically repaired left knee throughout the season, especially in recent days. Wade, though, is expected to play Saturday, when Miami (11-48) and Atlanta (24-36) will play a rare do-over, the first since 1983.
These teams will replay the final moments of their game from Dec. 19, which was originally played to a 117-111 Hawks win in overtime. That result, however, was erased from the books by the NBA because Atlanta’s stat crew erroneously said Shaquille O’Neal had six fouls, keeping him off the floor for the final 51.9 seconds.
That’s how long the Heat and Hawks will play to finish the first contest before playing a game that had already been scheduled for Saturday. Atlanta will be leading 114-111 in overtime when the suspended matchup resumes, and it will be Miami’s ball.
"They better not give me the ball," Wade said. "I might shoot a 3 right away."
Wade already had 36 points and 10 assists in the first 52:08 of the suspended game, and all stats accrued in that time will count.
The Hawks, one of seven teams vying for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, have an excellent opportunity to pick up two wins.
Much has changed since December. Miami is now resigned to missing the playoffs, and O’Neal – who was the one reinstated by the NBA tot his game – was traded to Phoenix on Feb. 6 and won’t be part of the replay’s conclusion.
"It’s going to be strange," said Shawn Marion, who was acquired by the Heat in the O’Neal trade.
The Heat’s roster is in disarray. They played the final 4 1/2 minutes of their game against the Warriors with one substitute, after Udonis Haslem tweaked a gimpy ankle.
NBA rules state that a team have eight players in uniform for a game, and Miami had just nine versus Golden State because of an array of roster moves, suspensions and injuries. Along with Wade, Daequan Cook and Joel Anthony will be available again for the Heat. The rookies were summoned back from the NBDL.
Atlanta, which has lost four straight and 12 of 15, could certainly use a lift. The Hawks’ latest loss was on Friday night, 108-93 against lowly Charlotte.
Atlanta is 3-8 since Mike Bibby joined the team following a trade with Sacramento.
"It’s going to be crazy, but it’ll be over quick and then we’ll need to get the next one," said Bibby, who wasn’t a part of December’s contest. "Two wins would be good for us."
The Hawks, however, will be without starting forward Josh Smith for the replay. He fouled out late in regulation.
"It’s going to be agonizing. Obviously I want to be out there," said Smith, averaging 17.3 points per game. "I’ve never in my lifetime done something like this. It’ll be an experience and a sight to see."
By: Marc Young – theSpread.com – Email Us
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