Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra: Chris Bosh return still uncertain – NBA Playoffs Update
The Miami Heat are locked in a physical battle with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals and the Heat are without star forward Chris Bosh. Now, according to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, the Miami outfit might have to play a few more games
without the forward as his injury persists.
Bosh was injured in game-1 of the Western conference playoffs series with the Pacers when he attempted a dunk, resulting in an abdominal strain. The player has since been on the sidelines and Miami have no answer when asked about his return.
Bosh had been seen taking some shots before game-4 of the series raising speculation that the forward might be in line for a return in game-5. Spoelstra though has simply ruled out that possibility.
"He's doing some work, but he won't be joining us (on Tuesday)," Spoelstra said following the Heat's practice on Monday. "He's not even near any court work right now."
In fact, the coach wouldn’t even commit on a game-7 return for the injured forward.
"It's too early to tell," Spoelstra said.
Without Bosh in the side, Miami have come under a lot of pressure from the Pacers. The Pacers are one of the most physical sides in the NBA and have plenty of big bodies to pound inside the paint. In Chris’ absence, the Heat are extremely shorthanded in
that department.
Super star forward LeBron James has carried much of the load in Bosh’s absence and came up with a titanic performance in game-4. The Heat won that game to tie the series but it also required 14 valuable points from Udonis Haslem.
Spoelstra knows that role players like Haslem cannot be relied on night in night out and said the team is still adjusting to life without Bosh in the playoffs.
"We're trying to figure ourselves out on the fly with Chris out," Spoelstra said. "It's changed the dynamic of the team."
The only positive news he had on Chris was the fact that the lanky forward appeared in high spirits.
"I just like seeing him. He had a smile on his face," Spoelstra said.
Miami take on the Pacers for game-5 of the series on Tuesday.
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