Mike Miller injures shooting hand in Heat practice
Miami Heat guard Mike Miller will not join his team on their final road trip of the pre-season, staying home after injuring his shooting hand yesterday in practice, an injury that could
sideline him for several weeks.
Miller also left Monday's pre-season game against the Charlotte Bobcats with a sprained left ankle.
The Heat will wrap up their pre-season with two games on the road, beginning tonight against the Atlanta Hawks followed by a match-up the next night against the Orlando Magic. Their much-anticipated
regular season gets underway Tuesday 26 October with a road game against the Boston Celtics.
Miller appeared to injure his right thumb yesterday in practice, according to the Associated Press. The Heat have made no formal announcement regarding the injury but Miami coach Erik
Spoelstra is expected to address the situation today.
Miller signed a five-year contract worth $25 million with the Heat over the summer after playing last season with the Washington Wizards. So far in the pre-season, he has been starting
in place of the injured Dwyane Wade, who is recovering from a strained right hamstring. Miller has played solidly so far for the Heat, highlighted by 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in 40 minutes of play in a loss to the New York Knicks on Tuesday
12 October.
Along with Wade and Miller, the Heat’s injury woes are starting to pile up. Guard Eddie House has been recovering from off-season surgery on his left shoulder but is expected to suit up
tonight against the Hawks. Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo have been dealing with nagging injuries during the pre-season while Da’Sean Butler is dealing with a torn knee ligament.
With Miller out, the Heat will be without one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters. The 30-year-old shooting guard led the league in three-point shooting percentage last season, going
48 per cent from behind the arc. The 12-year NBA veteran, who has made 13 of his 21 three-point attempts in his past five games, has career averages of 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 32.4 minutes of play.
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