MIAMI — It might take some work for Miami Heat fans to have a concern about a team that has won 41 of its past 43 games. If anything is to be found, it’s the health of guard Dwyane Wade.
But center Chris Bosh said Tuesday that Heat fans should not worry about Wade, who has been bothered by a sore right knee.
“I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about,’’ Bosh said. “I think we’ve been in positions like this before. We’re very comfortable playing with making sure he’s getting where he needs to be, to be as close to 100 percent. We just have to keep playing. And he has to get healthy.’’
Wade missed seven games late in the regular season to rest a bone bruise on his knee. He struggled in last Thursday’s Game 3 of an Eastern Conference first-round series against Milwaukee, shooting 1 of 12. He then was rested for Sunday’s Game 4 and the Heat finished off a sweep.
Wade has vowed to be ready for Game 1 of an East semifinal against Chicago or Brooklyn. The NBA announced Tuesday the series will start Monday at AmericanAirlines Arena regardless of the foe. The Bulls lead the series 3-2 entering Thursday’s Game 6 in Chicago and a possible Game 7 Saturday in Brooklyn.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Wade was limited in practice Tuesday. Spoelstra didn’t have much else to say about his status, and Wade was unavailable for comment.
“Dwyane was able to do some things, but he’s making progress,’’ Spoelstra said. “He’s doing better. It’s day-to-day, and that’s where we are.’’
It’s not as if the Heat had many problems this season without Wade. When he didn’t play during the regular season and last Sunday, Miami went 12-2.
Also, the Heat won the championship last year despite Wade playing during the postseason on a balky left knee that would require surgery in July. His latest injury is considered to be less serious.
“That’s our goal,’’ forward LeBron James said about getting Wade back soon to at least close to full strength. “He’s been day-to-day since the Milwaukee series. I think everyone knows he’s not 100 percent. But we look forward to having him.’’
Having to practice without knowing the next foe, Spoelstra said his team is primarily concentrating on conditioning and fundamentals. Nobody on the Heat would offer any preference Tuesday on the next opponent even if Miami was just 2-2 during the regular season against the Bulls while going 3-0 against the Nets.
Since the Big Three of James, Wade and Bosh joined forces in the summer of 2010, the most days off before a playoff series the team previously had was four. They now will have seven.
“It’s different for a lot of teams,’’ James, who had eight days off between playoff series while with Cleveland in 2009, said about a long layoff. “For a lot of teams, some guys could use the rest. It’s the position that we’re in. We can’t change it.’’
Due to Wade’s situation, the Heat is a team that could use the rest. Meanwhile, Bosh insists there’s nothing for fans to worry about.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com
or on Twitter @christomasson.
