Miami Heat's Haslem to play Sunday
BY MICHAEL WALLACE
mwallace@MiamiHerald.com
LONDON -- Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem is expected to make his preseason debut in Sunday night's game against New Jersey.
Haslem practiced Saturday and again during the Heat's Sunday morning pregame shootaround at O2 Arena. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after the morning practice that Haslem has been cleared to test the sprained left foot that kept him out of Miami's first two exhibition games.
Haslem's return is timely. He steps into the lineup a day after the team learned center Jamaal Magloire will miss at least six weeks after breaking a bone in his left hand in Thursday's loss to the Nets in Paris.
The injury will force Haslem to spend some -- if not most -- of his playing time at center, where the Heat had only one other player available with experience. Mark Blount, a nine-year veteran, has started at center. Second-year player Joel Anthony and undrafted rookie David Padgett are the other options.
Heat president Pat Riley said Saturday that he would like to see how well Haslem adjusts to center before the team determines what potential moves need to be made.
Sunday's exhibition, the second of two meetings between the teams on the NBA's Europe Live Tour, would give the Heat its first look with Haslem, guard Dwyane Wade, and forwards Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley on the floor together. For now, the Heat still plans to build around that nucleus instead of breaking it up to address other needs.
Join the discussion
Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.
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.
More Miami Heat
Basketball
- Young Miami Heat building confidence following road trip
- Recap: Denver vs. San Antonio
- Miami Heat concludes road trip with victory in Utah
- TNT's Charles Barkley doesn't favor Miami Heat
- Despite small size, Miami Heat's Chris Quinn a mighty threat
- Phoenix Suns (11-8) at Dallas Mavericks (9-8), 8:00 p.m.
CINESPORT VIDEO















My Yahoo
@Nyx.CommentBody@