Miami Heat forward Mike Miller likely to play in game-2 of the NBA Finals
Mike Miller, the Miami Heat reserve forward was injured in the game-1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night and played much of the time with just one working arm. Miller left the game with his arm in a sling and there were fears the
Miami forward would be sidelined for a long duration.
However, there was good news for the Heat fans on Wednesday as Miller declared with a smile that he will probably make it back for game-2.
“It’s a little sore, but nothing big,” he said.
Miami will welcome the news as Miller is an important player coming off the bench for them. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also dismissed any fears over the injury and said there was never any doubt that Miller would miss the next game.
“There’s won’t be anything stopping him from playing,” Spoelstra said. “In terms of one-handed, he can probably put his guide hand up there if he needed to right now. But we’re just trying to rest it.”
Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem have both faced a lot of time on the sidelines because of recent injuries and Miller attributed the duo’s struggles to “Old age”.
Haslem, like Miller, is an important asset for the Heat and gives them extra options on both the offensive and defensive end. Both players made significant contributions in the later part of Miami Heat’s Eastern Conference Finals
triumph over the Derrick Rose led Chicago Bulls.
Haslem also spoke of his frustration at the injuries, but said that, all he and Miller could do was to keep working hard and coming back,
“It has been tough,” Haslem said. “It hasn’t been what Mike and I envisioned, but sometimes you get thrown curveballs. The opportunity took longer to come than we anticipated, but it’s here now.”
Mike Miller latest injury isn’t at the top of the health issues on his mind. The well being of his daughter has also been unsettling for him off late. The player’s new born daughter, Jaelyn, recently came home from the hospital
after weeks of intensive care. Jaelyn has four holes in her heart, a condition known as ventricular septal defect.
Miller has been by her side for most of the time and has found it difficult to concentrate on his game under so much duress. He left for the series ending game in Chicago only after Jaelyn’s condition was relatively stable.
Jaelyn is much better now and is at home, although she still has to have regular medical checkups. Miller is thankful that his daughter is on the road to recovery and when asked about the situation by reporters he had this to say,
“It hasn’t been easy, but you deal with it,” Miller said. “You give it everything you’ve got and pray that’s enough.”
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