MIAMI (AP) -- Heat guard Dwyane Wade is
listed in Miami's starting lineup for Wednesday night's game against the
Atlanta Hawks, one night after tweaking his right ankle.
Wade did not play in the second half of
Miami's game against New Jersey on Tuesday after turning the ankle,
though insisted afterward he could have returned if necessary. He
sprained the same ankle and missed six games earlier this season.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Wade tested the ankle Wednesday afternoon and experienced no problems.
"We made sure he's ready to go," Spoelstra said.
Meanwhile, the Hawks arrived in Miami at less than full strength.
Atlanta guard Joe Johnson was ruled out
for the Hawks, marking the sixth game he's missed out of Atlanta's past
seven -- as well as the All-Star game -- because of left knee
tendinitis. Johnson did some shooting on Monday and had a pregame
workout in Indiana on Tuesday, but it's still unknown when he will
return to the lineup.
"I'm hoping he's close," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "I know he's been working out every day. He says it's feeling better."
Tracy McGrady, who has been dealing
with a left knee strain, was held out of the Atlanta lineup. McGrady
played nearly 20 minutes Tuesday in Atlanta's win at Indiana, but Drew
said he didn't want to subject McGrady to the demands of back-to-back
games.
Reserve guard Willie Green also
remained sidelined for Atlanta while recovering from back spasms. The
Hawks have been dealing with the absences of centers Al Horford (left
pectoral muscle tear) and Jason Collins (left elbow) for several weeks.
Wade aggravated the ankle on an awkward play against the Nets.
He appeared to step on the back of New
Jersey reserve Jordan Williams' foot while chasing him down court with
1:25 left in the first half on Tuesday. Wade tumbled to the court, got
up after a moment then walked without an obvious limp to Miami's
offensive end when the Heat took possession.
Moments after Joel Anthony scored for
Miami, Wade darted in front of Nets' guard Jordan Farmar and fouled him
to stop the clock and get a chance to leave the game.
Wade went to the bench and was quickly
approached by Heat trainer Jay Sabol, but showed no signs of pain and
received no treatment before Sabol returned to his seat a few seconds
later. Wade was with his teammates on the bench for the second half.
