Chris Bosh might return for game 5 against the Boston Celtics – NBA News
Miami Heat All Star forward Chris Bosh might return for game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. The Heat have lost two games in a row after taking a 2-0 lead of the series. Game 5 will be played back in Miami on Tuesday night.
With the series getting tougher and the possibility of a 7 game drawn out series becoming stronger, the Heat are itching to get Bosh back on the floor.
Bosh suffered a strained abdominal muscle in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He has missed 9 playoff games since then. The Heat seemed to be in some trouble after losing Bosh, losing games 2 and 3 of the semi finals
to the Pacers in his absence. However, inspired play from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade led the Heat past the Pacers into the Eastern Conference Finals. Udonis Haslem is giving consistant performances to the Heat but it is difficult to fill the void created
by the absence of Bosh.
Bosh has been following a strict rehab schedule and recently has started practice with the Miami team as well. He travelled with Miami on the road games at Boston. His return would be a great boost for the Heat as they look to contain Kevin Garnett, who
is averaging 20.5 points and 10.8 rebounds in the four games so far against the Heat.
Bosh was initially estimated to be out for three weeks, though no return schedule was given by the Miami team. Even when he returns, Bosh will not be his usual self for the first few games as he recovers from the strained muscle.
Bosh suffered criticism for much of the regular season for not living up to the expectations of the team as he witnessed a fall in his numbers from the previous season. There were also talks of Bosh not being happy in the camp without a defined role for
himself. However, his absence has silenced his critics as his importance to the team has been significantly highlighted in the games in which the Heat played without him.
Bosh is a strong presence in the interior and provides Heat with the balance that makes it possible for LeBron and Wade to do what they do on a regular basis. Also, with the Heat bench not one of the deepest in the league, his double digit points and rebounds
average for the season is a crucial element of the Heat’s recipe for success.
Miami may have outlasted Indiana without Bosh due to the sheer excellence of James and Wade. However, it is essentially important for the Heat that Bosh returns before the NBA Finals, if Miami want a chance at the NBA Title.
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