National Basketball Association

Heat's Miller out with ear infection

Published Feb. 24, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Miami forward Mike Miller will miss the matchup against Chicago because of an ear infection, sidelining him for a third straight game.

Coach Erik Spoelstra says Miller was improving, but will miss Thursday's game because the condition prevents him from flying. He already missed back-to-back games against Toronto and Sacramento after jarring collisions.

Miller had an X-ray and CT scan after being elbowed in the head on Feb. 15 at Indiana. It was the third game in a five-day span where Miller took a hit.

He was tested for a concussion after getting hit in the head at Detroit and checked again following a hard screen in the game against Boston.

Miller is averaging 5.9 points - less than half his career average (13.4) - since joining the Heat in the offseason.