So Dwyane Wade is officially a game-time decision against the Bucks on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's practice with a thigh bruise that's still healing.
Now, given that it is a muscle bruise, and one that Wade himself said he came back from during Sunday's game because he wouldn't do anymore damage to it unless he's hit in the exact same spot again, the question is this: Should he play Wednesday if he's still sore or in any pain at all?
Regardless of the opponent, it is an important game. Given the history between the teams, the Heat needs home court against the Celtics in the second round, and any loss at this point would threaten that possibility.Remember, the Heat has to finish a game ahead of the C's to hold home that two spot.
And the Bucks are no slouch. They've beaten the Knicks and Sixers twice apiece in the past month. The Heat's 3-0 against Milwaukee this season, but the last game was a six-point game. And Wade, as much as he might not necessarily be needed offensively to beat the Bucks, he is the defensive pulse of this team, for the most part, and defense against these guys will be critical. Even with Ersan Ilyasova out and Carlos Delfino questionable, this team still has a speedy point guard in Brandon Jennings and a big man in Andrew Bogut with which to contend. Those have been problem areas for the Heat all season. And with Corey Maggette and John Salmons probably in the starting lineup, there's no place to hide Mike Bibby, which makes Dwyane's defensive presence all the more critical.
This isn't saying the Heat can't win without Wade, but merely suggesting that this isn't a playing-out-the-string type of game, and Dwyane might need to push through some discomfort (as long as he's confident he won't hurt it any further) to play in this one.
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