The Miami Herald > Sports > Miami Heat

Miami Heat

Logout

Member Center

Weather Forecast

Posted on Friday, 11.20.09

Miami Heat coach expects breakout by Dwyane Wade

Related Content

BY MICHAEL WALLACE

mwallace@MiamiHerald.com

TORONTO -- Missed shots, turnovers, bad losses and a rising tide of doubters have combined to leave Heat guard Dwyane Wade in an offensive slump and a foul mood.

Meanwhile, coach Erik Spoelstra has found comfort in the controversy.

``Some of my favorite moments as a coach are when he gets sort of counted out after a tough couple of games,'' Spoelstra said Thursday of Wade, who has struggled as the Heat has lost three of its past four games. ``I treasure these moments, because you know he's going to get it going and really respond to the adversity.''

Wade certainly has been no stranger to early-season slumps. And as recent history shows, it's only a matter of time before he bounces back with a slump-busting game.

The Heat (7-4) could use a breakthrough performance from Wade on Friday against the Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Wade had a season-low 15 points in a 105-90 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday. He has shot only 38.6 percent from the field in the past four games and has committed 17 turnovers in that span.

Wade had a similarly sluggish start last season, when he missed 30 of his first 51 shots and was 0 of 12 from three-point range before he turned it around. Wade then scored at least 29 points in eight of his next 10 games.

Wade said his struggles are the result of ``missing open shots'' than any specific defensive success.

``For me, it's just about knowing that nothing lasts forever,'' Wade said. ``I know that shooting slumps only last so long, and I'm not a stranger to that. If you start forcing it and going after it too much, you're going to struggle even more. You just have to pick your spots and do what you do.''

ANSWER ON IVERSON

The Heat disputed reports out of New York that quoted an anonymous source as saying Miami was in ``hot'' pursuit of Allen Iverson, who cleared waivers after being cut this week by Memphis.

Even amid the Heat's offensive woes during a 1-3 stretch, Spoelstra said the focus remains on improving with the players currently on the roster.

``Obviously, in this league, things can change,'' Spoelstra said. ``But it's important to keep perspective. This is a minor bump in the road.''

INJURY UPDATE

Heat forwards Udonis Haslem (strained shoulder) and Quentin Richardson (back spasms) remain questionable for Friday's game. Haslem missed Wednesday's game and Richardson left in the third quarter after landing awkwardly as he secured a defensive rebound.

Save 50% off
regular home delivery
subscription!
Click here.

Support ongoing
news coverage
on MiamiHerald.com
Click here.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

Comments (0)

|