Description: Heat center Chris Andersen should see playing time in Tuesday's Game 6 against the Spurs. SOURCE: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: Birdman hasn't played since Game 3. With Miami's season on the line, we'd expect head coach Erik Spoelstra to pull out all the stops in Game 6.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh was hit with a $5,000 fine after flopping in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Insight: There's been plenty of flopping in the playoffs and the Heat seem to be doing most of it. LeBron James was fined for flopping a few weeks ago and Dwyane Wade has had a few questionable plays as well. Bosh scored 20 points Thursday in Game 4, his highest point total since Game 3 of the Chicago series.
Description: According to ESPN, Mike Miller might get the start at small forward Thursday against the Spurs.
Insight: Miami is desperate for offense and Miller has been their hottest shooter this series (10-for-11 in the first three games). If Miller does get the start, Udonis Haslem would move to the bench.
Description: Miami small forward Shane Battier acknowledged that he could retire after next season. SOURCE: USA Today
Insight: That's when his contract expires. Battier has given the Heat good production off the bench this season, averaging 6.6 ppg in 72 regular season games.
Description: Miami shooting guard Ray Allen hasn't made his decision yet on whether or not he'll return to the Heat next season. SOURCE: Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
Insight: At age 37, retirement is definitely a possibility for Allen, especially if the Heat win the title. Allen can also opt out of his contract and test free agency, though we're assuming he'd want to finish his career with Miami. He's been a nonfactor in the playoffs, averaging just 10 ppg in a little under 24 minutes per contest.
Description: Heat big man Chris "Birdman" Andersen has been suspended for Saturday's Game 6 against the Pacers.
Insight: Birdman was given a flagrant for shoving Tyler Hansbrough in the first half of Thursday's Game 5. Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony should see more minutes with Andersen out of the lineup.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James was one of three players fined for flopping during Tuesday night's Game 4 in Indiana.
Insight: Lance Stephenson and David West also had to pay $5,000 fines. On Tuesday, James scored 24 points in 43 minutes before fouling out. He'll look to rebound Thursday in Game 5.
Description: South Florida Sun Sentinel reporter Shandel Richardson suspects that Mario Chalmers' shoulder injury will remain an issue throughout the rest of the postseason.
Insight: Chalmers will continue to play through the injury. He's averaging 7.8 ppg on 44.6 percent shooting this postseason.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade will not be fined or suspended for his elbow hit on Pacers guard Lance Stephenson. He was given a retroactive flagrant-1 foul.
Insight: This won't effect Wade in any way as you need four flagrant fouls before a one-game suspension and it's his first of the postseason.
Description: Miami shooting guard Mike Miller is questionable for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals Sunday against Indiana with a sore rib cage.
Insight: Even if he plays, don't expect Miller to produce anything noteworthy in the eight minutes of playing time. He's averaging 2.5 ppg in six playoff games.
Description: Heat guard Mario Chalmers is in the starting lineup Friday for Game 2 against the Pacers.
Insight: Chalmers played just 21 minutes in Game 1 due to a shoulder injury. He's averaging 7.3 points, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 26 minutes in 10 games this postseason.
Description: Birdman scored 16 points on perfect 7-of-7 shooting Wednesday in a Game 1 victory over the Pacers.
Insight: He also recorded five rebounds and three blocked shots. The tatted-up big man has turned into a sensational role player for Miami. Andersen is averaging 7.9 ppg on 82.9 percent shooting this postseason. He's also shooting a respectable 75 percent from the free throw line.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James (30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) collected a triple-double in Wednesday night's overtime win against the Pacers.
Insight: And as usual, he hit the game-winning bucket on a driving layup on the last play of overtime. Miami has opened the playoffs by winning nine of its first ten games. Game 2 will be played Friday at American Airlines Arena in Miami.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade (knee) took part in the Wednesday morning shootaround, but is still a game-time decision.
Insight: Wade is dealing with multiple bone bruises in his knee. He'll likely play Game 5, but the team could gamble with a 3-1 series lead and give him the night off. Check back closer to tipoff.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade (knee) had another round of treatment on his knee Tuesday and he will be reevaluated Wednesday prior to Game 5 against the Bulls, according to Michael Wallace of ESPN.
Insight: Wade is still dealing with multiple bone bruises in his knee but cannot take the necessary time off to rest because it's playoff time. He'll likely play Game 5, but will be limited in what he can contribute.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade was limited to six points in 29 minutes Monday versus Chicago.
Insight: Wade's knee has been bothering him all series and it's probably something he'll have to deal with for the duration of these playoffs. He's averaging 12.3 ppg for the postseason.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (knee) is probable for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals Monday against Chicago.
Insight: Wade practiced Friday and confirmed at the Monday shootaround that he's "good to go," according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida SunSentinel.
Description: ESPN is reporting that Heat forward LeBron James has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2012-13 regular season.
Insight: The official announcement will come on Sunday. James is the fourth player in league history to win four MVP awards. The others have all been enshrined in Springfield: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and Bill Russell. LeBron and the Heat will play the winner of Saturday's Bulls/Nets game in the second round of the playoffs.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (knee) practiced Friday and is day-to-day. SOURCE: Ethan J. Skolnick, Palm Beach Post
Insight: Wade sat out Game 4 against Milwaukee, which Miami won easily. He should be ready for the second round, which starts in Miami on Monday, May 6 against either the Nets or Bulls.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (knee) said that he will be ready for next weekend's series against the winner of the Bulls-Nets series. SOURCE: Ethan J. Skolnick, Palm Beach Post
Insight: Miami won Game 4 without Wade to wrap up its series against Milwaukee. Wade will have a few extra days off to get his knee ready.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade will be a game-time call Sunday for Game 4 against the Bucks. SOURCE: Heat on Twitter
Insight: A knee injury that plagued Wade earlier in the season has resurfaced. Mike Miller would move into the starting five if Wade sits out on Sunday.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade had a brutal shooting night Thursday against the Bucks (1-for-12) but he made up for it by distributing a game-high 11 assists.
Insight: It says a lot about just how deep this team is when Wade makes only one shot and the Heat still win by 13 points. Wade should be much better in Game 4.
Description: Heat small forward LeBron James finished two assists shy of a triple-double Sunday against Milwaukee.
Insight: The Bucks never really posed a challenge to the Heat and LeBron (27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) was able to watch the game's final minutes from the bench. The superstar forward should be well-rested for Tuesday's Game 2.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade logged only 23 minutes Wednesday against the Magic but that was still enough time to record his fourth double-double of the season (21 points, 10 assists).
Insight: To be fair, he was playing the Magic. But that's still a pretty impressive line considering how sparingly Erik Spoelstra used him on Wednesday night. It looks like Wade is healthy again and he should be fairly well-rested heading into Miami's first round series versus Milwaukee.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh has been removed from Wednesday's starting lineup, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
Insight: Udonis Haslem will start. Dwyane Wade is the lone member of the Big 3 playing Wednesday's game. Bosh had a strong year, averaging 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks and shooting 53.5 percent from the field.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James will miss the regular season finale Wednesday night.
Insight: James also sat out Monday. The probable MVP averaged 26.8 points on 56.5 percent shooting, 7.3 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 0.9 blocks and 1.4 threes per game this season.
Description: Heat forward Udonis Haslem won't compete in Monday night's game versus the Cavaliers. He's been nursing a sore ankle.
Insight: It's Haslem's fourth consecutive absence. He didn't even make the trip to Cleveland. Chris "Birdman" Anderson will absorb most of Haslem's minutes.
Description: Forward Shane Battier will miss his third game in a row Monday when the Heat take on the Cavaliers. He's been battling a knee injury.
Insight: Most of Battier's shots this season have come from beyond the three-point line (4.4 of his 5.1 field goal attempts per game). Luckily for fantasy owners, he's one of the more accurate long range shooters in the league (43 percent success rate this season).
Description: Miami forward LeBron James won't be in action Monday against his former squad, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Insight: Coach Erik Spoelstra has opted to rest most of his starters in an effort to keep them fresh for the postseason. Ray Allen and Norris Cole will be asked to run the offense in James' absence.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James (hamstring) is doubtful for Monday's game at Cleveland.
Insight: James played Sunday so he'll get the second game of the back-to-back off, just like last week. Look for him to play in the regular season finale Wednesday against Orlando.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (knee) returned to action Friday and had 11 points, but he felt discomfort in his knee in the fourth quarter, according to Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald.
Insight: Wade has been dealing with bone bruises around his right kneecap and says he "came down wrong" during Friday's game.
Description: Heat forward Rashard Lewis had 19 points off the bench Friday against Boston.
Insight: Lewis is averaging 14 ppg over his last five contests. He has been receiving more minutes as the Heat rests up its important players for the playoffs.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James (hamstring) will play Friday night against Boston.
Insight: James sat out Wednesday after playing Tuesday's game. Including Friday's game, the Heat have four games left this season, and LeBron will likely be available for three of them.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh is probable for Friday's game against Boston. He's over his illness/knee issues/rest and should be back on the court for Friday's game with Boston.
Insight: The "Big Three" are all listed as probable for the game with the Celtics and if that happens it will be the first time in six games they have all played in the same game.
Description: Miami shooting guard Ray Allen scored a team-high 23 points Wednesday in a win versus the Wizards.
Insight: Allen shot just 1-of-7 from deep but was 7-of-11 from inside the three-point line. He should continue to play heavy minutes (33 on Wednesday) as long as the Big Three is on hiatus.
Description: Miami forward Udonis Haslem won't be on the court Wednesday versus the Wizards.
Insight: The team is calling it an ankle injury but it's probably just a day of rest. Haslem was pretty productive Tuesday night in a win over Milwaukee (10 points, 15 boards). Assuming he's back in the lineup Friday against Boston, Haslem will probably see a decent amount of playing time while the Big Three continues to rest.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade will miss his sixth game in a row Wednesday against Washington.
Insight: He's been battling a sprained ankle as well as a knee injury. There's a good chance we won't see Wade again until the postseason. Plan your fantasy lineups accordingly.
Description: As expected, Heat center Chris Bosh won't be available for Wednesday's game against Washington. Bosh has been struggling with an illness. SOURCE: Shandel Richardson, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Insight: He didn't even travel with the team. With the No. 1 seed in the East locked up, you probably won't be seeing much of Bosh down the stretch. You might not see much of LeBron or D-Wade for that matter either.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh (illness) is expected to miss Wednesday's game against Washington.
Insight: Bosh also has been bothered by a sore knee for the past few games. Miami has just four games left this season after Wednesday and he could simply sit for them all as the Heat are already focusing on the playoffs.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James (hamstring) said that he won't play in all six of Miami's remaining games this season, according to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports.
Insight: The Heat have a back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday, so look for James to sit out Wednesday's game at Washington. Miami also has a back-to-back Sunday and Monday.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade participated in the Tuesday morning shootaround, but will miss Tuesday's game.
Insight: Miami has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference so there's really no reason for Wade to play in any of the Heat's next six games. If the Eastern Conference standings don't fluctuate between now and the end of the regular season, the Heat will open the playoffs against Milwaukee.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Milwaukee after missing Tuesday's shootaround due to illness.
Insight: Bosh had been bothered by a sore knee for the past few games, but he's likely just getting a rest. Bosh carried the team when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were getting their rest and now its his turn.
Description: Michael Wallace from ESPN.com is hearing that Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade could be out until the playoffs. He's missed the Heat's last four games with an injured knee.
Insight: Miami has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference so there's really no reason for Wade to play in any of the Heat's next six games. If the Eastern Conference standings don't fluctuate between now and the end of the regular season, the Heat will open the playoffs against Milwaukee. Miami's record against the Bucks this season is 2-1.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James (hamstring) said he was "a little sore" Sunday morning after playing Saturday. SOURCE: Tim Reynolds, Associated Press
Insight: James missed three games and played just 30 minutes Saturday in his return to action, but he still had 27 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James (hamstring) played just 30 minutes Saturday against Philadelphia but still had 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting. He added five assists and four rebounds.
Insight: While we'd prefer James to get his full 38 mpg over the final few contests, we'll settle for 30 mpg rather than having him sit out.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James "warmed up with the intent to play Saturday after missing three straight games with a strained left hamstring, but he will be on a minutes limit if he plays. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel
Insight: Fantasy owners who have come to rely heavily on James' 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.4 spg box-filling statistics, will have the impossible task of filling the void over the final games of the regular season as the Heat's only goal at this point is preparation for the playoffs.
Description: Heat guard Ray Allen "warmed up with the intent to play" Saturday after missing Friday's game with an ankle injury, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Insight: None of the nagging injuries Heat players are currently dealing with are considered serious, but the team has nothing to play for.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh will miss Saturday's game with a hyperextended right knee, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Insight: The team says Bosh has been bothered by the injury for three games, but he's likely just getting a rest.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (knee, ankle) will sit out Saturday's game.
Insight: Wade has missed four straight games with what was initially called an ankle injury. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Saturday that Wade "has to resolve the swelling right now from getting hit on his knee," according to the Sun-Sentinel. We're betting he would play if these games were important to Miami.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James is questionable for Saturday's game against Philadelphia, according to the Miami Heat website.
Insight: He'll join Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade with the questionable tag. Fantasy owners who have come to rely heavily on James' 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.4 spg box-filling statistics, will have the impossible task of filling the void over the final games of the regular season as the Heat's only goal at this point is preparation for the playoffs.
Description: Heat point guard Mario Chalmers will return to action Friday against Charlotte.
Insight: Chalmers has been battling a sprained ankle. He might be asked to shoulder more of the load on offense with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both on the sidelines.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James is officially out for Friday's game against Charlotte, according to the Miami Heat website.
Insight: He'll join Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade on the sidelines. Fantasy owners who have come to rely heavily on James' 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.4 spg box-filling statistics, will have the impossible task of filling the gigantic void.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James is doubtful for Friday's game against Charlotte after hurting his hamstring a week ago.
Insight: He is probably going to be in and out of the lineup for the remainder of the season as the team tries to get everyone healthy for another playoff run, but that doesn't help fantasy owners who have come to rely heavily on his 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.4 spg box-filling statistics.
Description: Miami guard Mario Chalmers is doubtful for Friday's game against Charlotte due to a sprained right ankle.
Insight: It will be his fourth consecutive game on the sidelines, but as with Ray Allen, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade the team is just trying to ensure that everyone is healthy for the playoffs.
Description: Heat shooting guard Ray Allen listed as doubtful for Friday's game against Charlotte with a sore ankle.
Insight: Allen (10.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 threes) is not expected to play and could sit the rest of the regular season in preparation for another title run.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James won't play Tuesday against the Knicks.
Insight: He is probably going to be in and out of the lineup for the remainder of the season as the team tries to get everyone healthy for another playoff run.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (ankle) did not play Sunday against the Spurs and is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Knicks.
Insight: LeBron James and Mario Chalmers also are hurting and any combination of the three could sit out games down the stretch as the team readies for a playoff run. Check back before tipoff to get the final word.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James, who missed Sunday's game against the Spurs, is questionable for Tuesday's game against New York. He's dealing with a strained right hamstring.
Insight: He is probably going to be in and out of the lineup for the remainder of the season as the team tries to get everyone healthy for another playoff run. The same questionable status is likely for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh so fantasy owners will have to check back just before game-time each night.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James, who missed Sunday's game against the Spurs, is likely to be in and out of the lineup for the remainder of the season as the team tries to get everyone healthy for another playoff run.
Insight: The Heat were considering giving James Friday night off, but he ended up playing and did a ton of damage in 32 minutes of play. His absence is extremely disappointing with fantasy owners in the stretch run. The same questionable status is likely for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh so fantasy owners will have to check back just before game-time each night.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (ankle) will not play Sunday against the Spurs.
Insight: LeBron James and Mario Chalmers also are out Sunday, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel. Wade has been dealing with a knee injury, but the team is pinning his absence Sunday on an ankle injury. In all likelihood, Wade and LeBron are just getting a rest.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James will miss Sunday's game against the Spurs. Miami is calling it a hamstring injury. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: The Heat were considering giving James Friday night off but he ended up playing and did a ton of damage in 32 minutes of play. His absence is extremely disappointing with fantasy owners in the stretch run.
Description: Miami guard Mario Chalmers (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against San Antonio due to a sprained right ankle.
Insight: Chalmers' injury and missed game against New Orleans came out of the blue. It could just be the Heat resting players now that the streak is over.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James dropped 36 points (13-20 FG, 7-10 3PT, 3-5 FT) on the New Orleans Hornets Friday night.
Insight: So much for needing a rest. The Heat were considering giving James Friday night off but he ended up doing a ton of damage in 32 minutes of play. Fantasy owners will have to hope that Miami doesn't take the superstar out of the lineup at all down the stretch.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James is active Friday against the Hornets.
Insight: The NBA's best player is averaging 26.8 ppg, 8.2 apg and 7.3 rpg this season but the team was considering resting him Friday. Keep in mind that he still could be rested or have his minutes reduced down the stretch now that the winning streak has come to an end.
Description: Now that the streak is over, Miami heat forward LeBron James might take a game or two off to rest for the playoffs and Friday may be one of those days.
Insight: The NBA's best player is averaging 26.8 ppg, 8.2 apg and 7.3 rpg this season and any time spent on the bench would be a devastating blow to fantasy owners.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade is questionable for Friday's game against New Orleans with a sore right knee and ankle.
Insight: Though listed as questionable, Wade made it through the shootaround this morning and is expected to play. Rumors have LeBron James being rested which would make Wade a nice play on Friday.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who has missed the last two Heat games with a sore right knee, was at the morning shootaround and will be a game-time decision.
Insight: Wade had a precautionary MRI exam which revealed nothing serious, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Other than their winning streak, the only thing the team needs from Wade is to be ready for the postseason so he could sit for a while or be in and out of the lineup the rest of the way.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade has missed the last two Heat games with a sore right knee.
Insight: Wade had a precautionary MRI exam which revealed nothing serious, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Other than their winning streak, the only thing the team needs from Wade is to be ready for the postseason so he could sit for a while or be in and out of the lineup the rest of the way.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James finished one rebound shy of a triple-double Monday against the Magic.
Insight: More importantly, the Heat was able to extend its winning streak to 27 games. The king of basketball is averaging 29.4 ppg, 10.2 apg and 8.8 rpg in his last five appearances.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade won't be available for Monday's game against the Magic. He's out with a sore right knee.
Insight: Wade also missed Sunday's game against Charlotte. ESPN's Chris Broussard says the decision to sit Wade is merely a precaution. There's a good chance Flash returns Wednesday when the Heat take on Chicago.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade is questionable for Monday's game against Orlando with a sore right knee.
Insight: The Heat figured to be able to beat the lowly Bobcats without Wade and could probably beat Orlando without him too. Wade is averaging 21.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 5.0 apg this season and the team won't really need him until playoff time.
Description: No Dwyane Wade, no problem. LeBron James put the Heat on his shoulders Sunday against Charlotte, contributing 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
Insight: The outcome was never in doubt and LeBron barely had to break a sweat against the struggling Bobcats. Miami's next opponent will be the Magic. Orlando nearly ended Miami's winning streak the last time these two teams met back on March 6th. The Heat needed a last second layup by James to preserve a 97-96 victory in that contest. If Miami does hold on for another win on Monday it will be the team's 27th in a row. It's been 52 calendar days since the Heat's last loss.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (knee) will miss Sunday's game against the Bobcats.
Insight: Wade averaged 25.2 ppg and shot 58.7 percent during a recent string of 13 straight games with at least 20 points, but he is only averaging 15.3 ppg and shooting 42 percent over his last three. Miami certainly doesn't need him against the lowly Bobcats to extend its winning streak to 26 games.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James completed his fourth triple-double of the season Wednesday in a wild come-from-behind win over Cleveland (25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists).
Insight: The Heat trailed by as many as 26 before LeBron and company came roaring back in the third and fourth quarters. Miami is now nine wins away from tying the 1971-72 Lakers for the longest winning streak in NBA history.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James capped off an heroic performance Monday night in Boston by sinking the game-winning bucket with 10 seconds left to play.
Insight: All hail the king. LeBron was magnificent from start to finish on Monday, leading the Heat back from a 17-point first half deficit with 37 points and 12 assists. Not that it was ever in question but Monday's outing confirmed that LeBron is indeed the greatest basketball player on Planet Earth. Sorry, KD.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh had 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting with seven rebounds, one steal and two blocks Friday to help Miami win its 21st game in a row.
Insight: Bosh was having his worst shooting month of the season in March but his effort Friday bumps him to 52.9 percent and 16.5 ppg this month.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade suffered a neck strain Friday and went to the locker room but was able to return to the game in the second quarter.
Insight: Wade has scored at least 20 points in 11 straight games and had eight points in seven minutes before the injury.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James is in a bit of a shooting slump. Though he scored 27 points Wednesday against the 76ers in the Heat's 20th straight win, he shot 8-of-19 and has made 16-of-40 (.400) over the last three games.
Insight: It's safe to say we aren't panicking. James was due for a few down games after shooting 64 percent in the month of February.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade extended his streak of 20-point games to 10 with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting Tuesday against Atlanta as Miami extended its win streak to 19 games. Wade added six assists, four rebounds and five steals.
Insight: Wade is averaging 26.2 points on better than 60 percent shooting during the last 10 games and 24.2 ppg on 55 percent shooting during the winning streak.
Description: Miami small forward Shane Battier is questionable for Tuesday's game against Atlanta after missing the morning shootaround due to illness.
Insight: Battier is making 1.9 threes, but his 6.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg aren't enough to warrant much attention from fantasy owners.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade extended his streak of 20-point games to seven with 24 on 10-of-16 shooting Wednesday against Orlando.
Insight: Wade is averaging 24.5 ppg on 55 percent shooting during Miami's 16-game winning streak. He has added averages of 6.2 rpg, 5.9 apg, 2.4 spg and 1.1 bpg during that stretch.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James will play Monday against Minnesota. James suffered a minor knee injury in Sunday's win in New York.
Insight: A 56.3 shooting percentage (including 41 percent from three-point range), 27.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1.7 spg ... did we miss anything? Oh yeah, all his pregames dunks are going viral now. You're looking at the 2013 NBA MVP. You can probably pencil him in for 2014 and 2015 also. Maybe he'll get bored and let Durant win it in 2016.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James had his knee examined by the team medical staff after Sunday night's game, but will not require an MRI, according to a Miami Herald report.
Insight: "I was concerned," James told the Herald. "I'm still concerned a little bit." Not what you want to hear from the best player in the NBA. James is currently averaging 27.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1..7 spg and 1.4 threes. James has yet to miss a game this season, so expect him on the court for the next Heat contest.
Description: The Heat signed veteran forward Juwan Howard to a 10-day contract on Saturday.
Insight: Howard averaged only 1.5 ppg during Miami's title run last season and we wouldn't expect him to improve upon those numbers this season. The 40-year-old Howard hasn't been relevant for fantasy since 2005-06 when he averaged 11.8 ppg in 80 games for Houston.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade dumped in 39 points (19-28 FG) with eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks Tuesday against the Kings.
Insight: Wade played 45 minutes in the double-OT victory. He's averaging 32 ppg on 44-of-68 (.648) shooting over his last three games.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen has scored in double figures in seven straight games, including Tuesday when he had 21 points with five threes in 41 minutes against the Kings (2OT).
Insight: Allen didn't have a game better than seven points from Jan. 30 to Feb. 10. He has made 2.7 threes per game over his last seven contests.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James blew up for 40 points on 14-of-23 shooting and also had a career-high 16 assists with eight rebounds, two steals and one block Tuesday in a double-overtime win over Sacramento.
Insight: The perpetually scorching LeBron is shooting 64.1 percent (139-of-217) from the field in February.
Description: Miami small forward Shane Battier (hamstring) will miss Tuesday's game against the Kings.
Insight: Battier is making 1.9 threes with 0.8 blocks per game but doesn't offer anything else to fantasy owners (6.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg). Neither does Rashard Lewis, Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem or anyone else on Miami not named LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh or Ray Allen.
Description: Fifteen of Dwyane Wade's 24 points Sunday came in the fourth quarter as the Heat held off the Cavaliers, 109-105.
Insight: Wade (21.2 ppg) shot 7-of-10 from the field during the fourth quarter and clinched the game with a dunk in the final minute of play. Wade and the Heat have now won 11 straight.
Description: Miami shooting guard Mike Miller has recovered from his ear infection and will be available for Sunday night's game versus the Cavaliers.
Insight: Don't expect Miller to produce anything noteworthy in his first game back after missing the last two weeks with various ailments. He's averaging a career-low 3.6 ppg in 39 appearances this season.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade knocked down 14-of-18 from the field and 5-of-7 from the foul line Saturday against the 76ers for 33 points.
Insight: Wade is averaging 23.1 ppg during Miami's 10-game winning streak.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James only attempted 12 field goals Saturday and made seven of them as part of a 16-point night. He added 10 rebounds and 11 assists for a triple-double.
Insight: It was just the second time this season James hasn't scored at least 20 points in a game. James is averaging more than 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to go with 1.7 steals and a career-high 56.7 field goal percentage.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh struggled to just six points Wednesday night in Atlanta.
Insight: Bosh shot a dismal 2-of-10 from the field in 28 minutes. That breaks a streak of three double-doubles in a row for Bosh, who heads into Thursday's contest with the Bulls averaging 17.5 ppg and 7.4 rpg for the season.
Description: Miami small forward Shane Battier lit up the Hawks for 17 points on 5-for-8 three-point shooting Wednesday night in Atlanta.
Insight: That's Battier's highest scoring output since November 15th against Denver. He's only reached double-digit points four times this month so we wouldn't count on a repeat performance Thursday night versus the Bulls.
Description: Heat forward Udonis Haslem has returned from a one-game absence and is ready to start Wednesday night's game against Atlanta.
Insight: Haslem sat out Thursday's game against the Thunder because of a bruised leg but he's now had almost a week to recover. Haslem isn't much of a scorer (just 3.7 ppg this season) but he can sometimes crack double-digit rebounds if given enough playing time.
Description: Heat backup guard Mike Miller did not travel with the team and will miss Wednesday's game against Atlanta due to flu-like symptoms.
Insight: Miller is only averaging 14 mpg this season, not enough time to do much damage. He hasn't made much of a fantasy impact during the select few times he has received increased minutes this season and should not be on any fantasy rosters.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to scored 30 points and shoot better than 60 percent from the field in six straight games when he had 30 on 11-of-15 shooting Tuesday against the Blazers.
Insight: James is doing anything and everything he wants to on the basketball court. He has missed just 26 shots on 92 attempts (.717 FG%) over his last six games.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh had his best all-around game of the season with 32 points, 11 rebounds and two steals Tuesday versus Portland. Bosh made 13-of-16 from the field, 6-of-6 from the foul line and was a plus-34 when he was on the floor.
Insight: Bosh has shot well all season (.551 FG%). He has produced 23 or more points in three of his last four games.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade is keeping up his end of the bargain as LeBron's right-hand man by averaging 24.8 points on 51.7 percent shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.2 blocks over his last five games.
Insight: James and Wade have led the Heat to five consecutive wins, undoubtedly making a massive fantasy impact in the process. Wade supplemented James' 32 points Sunday against the Lakers with 30 points of his own.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James had his fifth straight 30-point game Sunday against the Lakers with 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists.
Insight: James is shooting an off-the-charts 71.4 percent from the field (55-of-77) over the last five games. He has improved his field-goal percentage in five straight seasons and 2012-13 will make six -- he's shooting 56.2 percent for the season after making 53.1 percent in 2011-12.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh (flu) and Ray Allen (flu) will both return to action Sunday against the Lakers. SOURCE: Brian Windhorst, ESPN
Insight: Bosh is a must start when on the floor, averaging 17.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 bpg. Allen is only averaging 10.7 points with 1.7 threes in 25.5 minutes in his first season in Miami.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh is questionable for Sunday's game against the LA Lakers. He's still battling flu-like symptoms.
Insight: Bosh is a must start when on the floor, averaging 17.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 bpg. If he doesn't play, Udonis Haslem (3.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg) would get a start at center.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen is questionable for Sunday's game against the LA Lakers with flu-like symptoms.
Insight: Allen (10.7 ppg) has gone five games without reaching double-digits. That kind of production says cut me or trade me to an unsuspecting fantasy owner.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James sank 9-of-11 field goals for 30 points Friday in a blowout win over the Clippers.
Insight: The highlight of the night came at the end of the first half when LeBron passed the ball to a fan wearing a James jersey in the audience. James (four straight games with 30 or more points) was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. He's shooting a career-high 42 percent from that distance this season.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh won't be participating in Friday's game against the Clippers. He's still battling flu-like symptoms.
Insight: Udonis Haslem (3.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg) will make his second straight start in Bosh's place. Consider Bosh questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Lakers.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen won't be on the court Friday against the Clippers. He's out with the flu.
Insight: Allen (10.7 ppg) is averaging just 3.8 ppg in his last five contests. That kind of production screams waiver wire. Cut the old-timer loose or trade him to a fantasy owner who hasn't been paying attention this season.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade will give it a go Friday against Los Angeles. He missed shootaround this morning because of an illness.
Insight: The flu has made its way around the Heat locker room but Wade's going to try and play though it. Wade had his worst game of the season when he played the Clippers back in November (six points on 2-of-10 shooting).
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade missed the Friday morning shootaround because he wasn't feeling well and is questionable for tonight's game against the L.A. Clippers.
Insight: Wade is averaging 22.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists over four February games his best month of the season and it would be a shame if fantasy owners don't get every game out of him they can.
Description: Miami Heat center Chris Bosh is probable for Friday's game against the LA Clippers. He's dealing with an illness.
Insight: Bosh (17.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) would be replaced by Udonis Haslem (3.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg) if he can't play, who managed to post nine points and 13 rebounds on Wednesday in a substitute role.
Description: Heat small forward LeBron James had 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting with six boards, five assists and two blocks Wednesday against the Rockets.
Insight: With Chris Bosh out with an illness, James and Dwyane Wade combined for 63 of Miami's 114 points. Shane Battier was the team's third-high scorer with 12 points.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade made 9-of-18 field goals and all 13 of his free throws for 31 points with eight assists, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks Wednesday against the Rockets.
Insight: Wade came in averaging 22.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 50.6 percent from the field in his last nine games.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh won't be in the lineup Wednesday against Houston. He's dealing with an illness.
Insight: The hope is that Bosh (17.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) will be good to go for Friday night's nationally televised game against the Clippers. Udonis Haslem (3.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg) is expected to start in Bosh's place.
Description: Miami Heat center Chris Bosh made 12-of-19 from the field for 28 points with five rebounds, one steal and one block Sunday against the Raptors.
Insight: Bosh will have a breakout like this around twice a month but more often than not he scores in the teens with substandard rebounding numbers.
Description: Heat small forward LeBron James put in 30 points with eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a three while making 10-of-16 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line.
Insight: Just another day at the office for the NBA's best player. James is averaging 26.6 ppg for the season but 29.6 over his last nine games.
Description: Miami Heat center Chris Bosh has been upgraded to probable for Wednesday's game against Brooklyn. He's been dealing with a bad toe.
Insight: Bosh did not practice on Tuesday, but should play Wednesday, according to a South Florida Sun-Sentinel report. He pulled down 16 rebounds on Sunday with 16 points and a blocked shot. He's averaging 17.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.7 apg and 1.4 bpg this season.
Description: Miami Heat center Chris Bosh is questionable for Wednesday's game against Brooklyn due to a bad foot.
Insight: Bosh did not practice on Tuesday. He pulled down 16 rebounds on Sunday with 16 points and a blocked shot. He's averaging 17.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.7 apg and 1.4 bpg this season.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh gobbled up 16 rebounds in a loss to the Celtics Sunday at TD Garden.
Insight: Sunday was Bosh's third game of the season with 15 or more rebounds. This has actually been somewhat of a disappointing month for Bosh. He's scored fewer than 20 points in seven straight games, averaging just 13.1 ppg over that span. The Heat have gone 5-2 during Bosh's recent scoring drought.
Description: Heat small forward LeBron James racked up a season-high 16 rebounds Sunday in a loss at Boston.
Insight: James also had 34 points on 14-of-31 shooting. Sunday was the 14th time this season LeBron has scored 30 points or more. He's averaging 28.5 ppg and 13 rpg in two contests against the Celtics this season.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James produced his 34th career triple-double Wednesday in a win over the Raptors.
Insight: James racked up 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in 45 minutes of action. The reigning MVP has now scored 30 or more points in three of his last four games.
Description: Miami shooting guard Dwyane Wade tallied a season-high 35 points Wednesday in an overtime win against Toronto.
Insight: Wade also contributed five rebounds and seven assists. He shot well from the field (13-of-19) but was uncharacteristically shaky from the free throw line (just 9-for-15).
Description: The Birdman will take flight Wednesday against the Raptors. He'll be active for the Heat, coach Erik Spoelstra said. SOURCE: Ethan J. Skolnick, Palm Beach Post
Insight: Andersen is working on a 10-day contract with Miami but should stick around longer than that since the Heat are desperate for rebounding. However, he won't offer fantasy owners much.
Description: Miami Heat small forward LeBron James missed Tuesday's practice due to a cold.
Insight: James (26.3 ppg, 7.0 apg, 8.1 rpg) is expected to be able to play through this illness, but check back before Wednesday's game against Toronto to verify that he's going to play.
Description: The Birdman is back. Chris Andersen has signed a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat.
Insight: Always a fan favorite, the 6-foot-10 Andersen (5.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg for Denver in 2011-12) should be able to help the Heat in the rebounding department. Currently, Miami is second to last in that category at just 38.8 rpg.
Description: Dwyane Wade is headed back to the All-Star Game. He was voted in as a starter at guard for the Eastern Conference.
Insight: Wade has definitely lost a step (he's averaging just 19.9 ppg this season, his lowest average since 2003-04) but with Derrick Rose out and Kyrie Irving missing a month earlier in the season because of a broken finger, there really weren't many other options at guard for the Eastern Conference. It will be interesting to see how Wade handles playing with Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, who was also voted in as a starter. Wade called Rondo "a punk" after the two had a heated confrontation earlier in the season.
Description: Heat small forward LeBron James was voted in as a starter for next month's All-Star Game in Houston.
Insight: James (26 ppg, 6.9 apg, 8.1 rpg) received the most votes of any player in the Eastern Conference and was second overall in the voting behind only Kobe Bryant. Wednesday night James became the youngest player in league history to reach the 20,000-point plateau.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points Wednesday against Golden State.
Insight: James reached the mark just before halftime. The three-time MVP dished out 10 assists Wednesday as well, putting him over 5,000 for his career. Before James (28), Kobe Bryant had previously been the youngest to score 20,000. He's the seventh-fastest to 20K in terms of games played (726).
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh has only grabbed double-digit rebounds once in his last 15 games. He's averaging 5.7 rebounds per game in that span and had just one Monday night against Utah.
Insight: Fortunately, Bosh is putting up 17.3 points on 57.8 percent shooting with 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and an .875 free-throw percentage during that time frame, but the rebounding numbers are just pitiful.
Description: Heat point guard Mario Chalmers led the team with a career-high 34 points (10-13 3PT) Saturday against the Kings.
Insight: Chalmers had only scored 36 points combined in his previous eight games so fantasy owners shouldn't go too crazy trying to acquire the Miami guard.
Description: Heat forward Shane Battier (hamstring) has been officially ruled out of Thursday's game. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: Battier and his 6.1 ppg won't be missed by fantasy owners.
Description: Heat forward Shane Battier (hamstring) is not expected to play Thursday against the Trail Blazers. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: Battier and his 6.1 ppg won't be missed by fantasy owners.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen scored zero points on 0-of-5 shooting Tuesday against Indiana. Allen had been heating up over his last four games, making 10 threes and averaging 14.3 ppg and 4.8 reb in that span.
Insight: The Heat didn't get much help out of its role players on Tuesday -- Allen, Shane Battier, Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers made just 2-of-19 from the field in the game while LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh went 24-of-46.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade led the team with 30 points on 9-of-16 shooting Tuesday against the Pacers. He added five rebounds, three assists, one block and eight free throws on 10 attempts.
Insight: Wade has been rolling along over his last 15 games, averaging 22.1 points on 55 percent shooting with 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in that stretch.
Description: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expects forward LeBron James (knee) to play Friday night against the Bulls. SOURCE: K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune
Insight: James (26.5 ppg, 7.1 apg, 8.6 rpg) missed practice Thursday after suffering a knee contusion the night before but was never in doubt to play Friday.
Description: Miami small forward LeBron James missed practice on Thursday because of a bruised knee.
Insight: The injury shouldn't keep James (26.5 ppg, 7.1 apg, 8.6 rpg) from playing Friday night against Chicago. The reigning NBA MVP hasn't missed a game yet in 2012-13.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade averaged 21.6 points, 4.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 56.3 percent over his final 11 games of December, and he scored 27 points (9-21 FG) with 10 boards, five assists, two steals, two blocks and one turnover Wednesday against the Mavericks in his first game of January.
Insight: Wade was been extremely consistent recently in scoring 21 or more points in six straight games. He may not be playing at his 2008-09 level (30.2 ppg, 7.5 ast, 5.0 reb, 2.2 stl, 1.3 blk, 1.1 3PM) but he's still getting the job done for fantasy owners.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade returned from his one-game suspension with 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting, six rebounds and four assists Saturday against the Bucks.
Insight: Wade was suspended for kicking Charlotte guard Ramon Sessions in the groin last week. Wade's scoring average is down for the fourth straight season but he is shooting more efficiently than ever before. His .514 field goal percentage is a career high.
Description: Miami forward Udonis Haslem missed Saturday's game against the Bucks because of a bruised neck.
Insight: Haslem gives the Heat a solid defensive presence off the bench. Unfortunately, from a fantasy perspective, he's basically useless (4.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg).
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen returned from a sore right shoulder Friday but didn't shoot well, making only 3-of-13 from the field for nine points.
Insight: Allen saw 29 minutes in the loss to Detroit Friday. He has only made 4-18 from the field in his last two games. The veteran just isn't seeing enough playing time or shots to be a top level fantasy option; the 13 attempts Friday were his most of December and second-highest total this season and they came mainly due to Dwyane Wade's one-game suspension.
Description: Even with an eye injury, Heat center Chris Bosh still scored 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting with nine rebounds and three blocks Friday against Detroit.
Insight: Bosh benefited from Dwyane Wade's (suspended) absence; the 17 attempts were his second most of the season.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James poured in 35 points on 15-of-22 shooting with six rebounds, five assists, six steals and a block Friday but it wasn't enough as Miami lost to the lowly Pistons.
Insight: Playing without Dwyane Wade (suspended), LeBron had to pick up more of the scoring slack. James' only drawback has been his foul shooting this season, but he has made 47-of-59 (.797) from the free-throw line in his last nine games.
Description: Heat guard Mike Miller will start at shooting guard Friday against the Pistons while Dwyane Wade is serving his one-game suspension.
Insight: Miller is only averaging 14 mpg this season but that could bump to 25-30 on Friday. However, he hasn't made much of a fantasy impact during the select few times he has received increased minutes this season.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen is listed as questionable for Friday's game against Detroit because of a stinger on his right shoulder, but Miami Heat beat writer Ethan J. Skolnick expects him to play.
Insight: With Dwyane Wade suspended for one game due a kicking incident, Allen along with starter Mike Miller should see plenty of playing time.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade has been suspended one game by the NBA for kicking Ramon Sessions in the groin on Wednesday. SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
Insight: Wade's scoring average is down for the fourth straight season but he is shooting more efficiently than ever before. His .513 field goal percentage is a career high. However, he'll miss Friday's game versus the Pistons.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade is making 58.7 percent of his field goals over his last nine games.
Insight: Wade's scoring average is down for the fourth straight season but he is shooting more efficiently than ever before. His .513 field goal percentage is a career high.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh will be available for Wednesday's game versus Charlotte despite suffering an eye injury Christmas Day against the Thunder.
Insight: Bosh's averages are nearly identical to the ones he posted last season (17.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg compared to 18 ppg and 7.9 rpg in 2011-12). That kind of consistency is hard to find in the ever-changing world of fantasy basketball. Make sure he's in your starting lineup tonight.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen is out for Wednesday's game in Charlotte because of a stinger on his right shoulder.
Insight: Allen hasn't played more than 25 minutes in any of his last five games and he's only scored double-digits once in that span. Even when he's 100 percent, Allen simply isn't seeing enough court time for you to rely on him in fantasy.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James continues to play like the best player in the league, leading his team to a 103-97 win against Oklahoma City.
Insight: LeBron went 12-of-20 for 29 points along with eight rebounds, nine assists, two steals, a block shot and a partridge in a pear tree. Averaging 25.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.3 spg there is no player in fantasy that you would trade him for even up, not even Kevin Durant.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade continues to see his scoring drop and his 19.7 ppg current level is the lowest since his rookie season.
Insight: Wade may not care about personal goals, but fantasy owners do. Remember when he led the league averaging 30.2 ppg in 2008-09? In the four years since then his scoring has taken significant drops in each season. He is no longer a fantasy elite at 19.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.6 apg.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh has been upgraded to probable for Tuesday's game against Oklahoma City. He was dealing with flu-like symptoms and missed Saturday's game with New Orleans.
Insight: Bosh (18 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 bpg) is a must start and should play long minutes with Miami's thin frontcourt.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James has not committed a single foul over his last six games.
Insight: James (25.4 ppg, 6.8 apg, 8.5 rpg) has six steals and five blocks in that span so he's still being aggressive on defense. Steve Nash went 11 games in a row without fouling last season, the longest such streak the NBA has seen in the last 15 years.
Description: Heat forward Shane Battier started his first game since late November Saturday with center Chris Bosh out.
Insight: Battier scored 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting, with all of his field goal attempts coming from 3-point range. He's made 18-of-42 (.429) from behind the arc in his last seven games but doesn't offer much production elsewhere because he took just six of his shot attempts from inside the arc during that span.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade is making field goals at a ridiculous 62.4 clip over his last seven games.
Insight: Wade came into Saturday's game averaging 20.3 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals while making 76.9 percent of his foul shots in his previous six games. He helped Miami beat Utah with 21 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and two steals Saturday.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James extended his streak of 20-point games to 45 (including playoffs) with 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting Saturday against the Jazz. James added nine rebounds and seven assists while making 7-of-10 free throws.
Insight: James has been as dominant as ever this season and hasn't taken a night off from his top-notch production.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh won't play Saturday against the Jazz due to an illness.
Insight: Without Bosh (18 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.3 bpg), Miami's already thin frontcourt will be even more susceptible to Utah's plethora of big men (Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter).
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh will be a game-time decision Saturday against Utah because of an illness.
Insight: Joel Anthony would start at center if Bosh isn't feeling well enough to suit up. Anthony (1.5 ppg) is a defensive specialist and offers almost nothing on the offensive end.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade made 8-of-14 from the field for 24 points with four assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks Tuesday against the Timberwolves.
Insight: Wade is hitting field goals at a 65.5 percent clip while scoring 20.6 ppg over his last five games.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade has returned to action after suffering a strained neck during the first half of Wednesday's game against the Warriors.
Insight: The injury occurred when Wade collided with point guard Mario Chalmers in the second quarter. It looks like Wade was able to escape without a major injury, which should come as very good news to his fantasy owners.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade left Wednesday's game against Golden State with a head injury.
Insight: He bumped into teammate Mario Chalmers during the second quarter and was down on the floor for a long time before eventually being helped to the locker room. It would appear Wade is done for the night and it's possible the eight-time All-Star has suffered a concussion.
Description: Heat guard Mike Miller is questionable for Wednesday's game against Golden State with flu-like symptoms.
Insight: Miller (4.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 apg) sits behind Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen on the depth chart, meaning he doesn't see enough playing time even when healthy to help a fantasy lineup.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh has averaged 13.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg over his last four games, including an eight-point, two rebound effort versus Brooklyn.
Insight: Bosh's season-long averages are still at 18.6 ppg and 7.9 rpg, but if his current pace continues you may have to re-evaluate his fantasy value.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade was awful in a 20-point loss to the Knicks Thursday (3-of-13, 4 TOs) but he shredded New Orleans for 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting in a bounce-back effort Saturday.
Insight: Thursday was the outlier in what has been a two-week flourish for the Heat shooting guard.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James nearly recorded a second straight triple-double Thursday in a loss to New York. In 39 minutes, James racked up 31 points and 10 boards while distributing nine assists.
Insight: Any time the Heat lose two in a row it's natural to point fingers but you really can't peg this loss on LeBron. If anything the blame should be placed on Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who combined for a measly 23 points on 6-of-25 shooting (24 percent).
Description: Forward Shane Battier will return to the floor Thursday for Miami's game against the Knicks.
Insight: Battier had missed the team's previous three games with an injured knee. He scored just two points against New York when he faced them earlier in the season.
Description: Surprisingly, guard Mario Chalmers is in the lineup for Thursday's game versus New York.
Insight: Reports surfaced earlier in the week that Chalmers could miss 7-to-10 days because of a finger injury but apparently the injury wasn't as serious as some had originally thought. Chalmers is averaging just 6.4 ppg this season so his activation won't cause much of a stir in the fantasy world.
Description: All four of Miami's injured role players -- Shane Battier (knee), Udonis Haslem (hip), Mario Chalmers (finger) and Norris Cole (groin, hamstring) -- are game-time decisions Thursday against the Knicks.
Insight: Fortunately, none of the four are integral fantasy options. Neither are replacements Rashard Lewis and Mike Miller, for that matter.
Description: Miami backup point guard Norris Cole (5.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.3 apg) is doubtful for Thursday's game against New York due to a strained hamstring and groin.
Insight: With start Mario Chalmers also hurting and questionable, the point could be played by LeBron James.
Description: Heat point guard Mario Chalmers, who exited Tuesday's game against Washington due to a left ring finger injury, is questionable for Thursday's game against New York.
Insight: X-rays came back negative, but Chalmers will not return. Norris Cole is also out with groin and hamstring injuries so Miami is wearing thin at point guard. LeBron James may be forced to take over the role.
Description: Despite starting the last three games in place of Shane Battier (knee), Heat forward Rashard Lewis has been virtually nonexistent, scoring five total points in that span.
Insight: Lewis had zero points on one shot Tuesday against the Wizards. He shouldn't be anywhere near your fantasy lineup.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade has put together five straight games with 18 or more points, including 24 on 9-of-19 shooting Tuesday at Washington.
Insight: Wade drilled 14-of-20 for 34 points Saturday and this was a nice encore. The Miami guard is averaging 24.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 51.1 percent from the field over his last five games.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh bounced back from one of his worst games of the season (2-of-7, 8 points Saturday) with 20 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting Tuesday at Washington.
Insight: Bosh is playing the most efficient basketball of his career, shooting 56 percent from the field through 16 games.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James has his first triple-double of the season Tuesday at Washington, scoring 26 points on 12-of-24 shooting with 13 rebounds and 11 assists, but it wasn't enough as Miami lost to Washington.
Insight: Yes, Washington, a team that had one win prior to Tuesday. The loss can't be blamed on James, who also had three thefts and two blocks.
Description: Heat point guard Mario Chalmers exited Tuesday's game against Washington due to a left ring finger injury. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: X-rays came back negative, but Chalmers will not return. Norris Cole is also out with groin and hamstring injuries so Miami is wearing thin at point guard.
Description: Heat forward Shane Battier was limited at the morning shootaround and will miss Tuesday's game with Washington. Battier has been dealing with a sprained MCL.
Insight: Battier, who is averaging 7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.8 apg, is hoping for a return to the court for Thursday's game.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade led the way with a season-high 34 points Saturday in a win against Brooklyn.
Insight: This was easily Wade's best game of the season. He made 14-of-20 shots, dished out seven assists and didn't commit a turnover in 34 minutes of action. Wade and the Heat will travel to the nation's capital Tuesday to take on the struggling Wizards.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting with five rebounds and five assists Thursday against the Spurs.
Insight: The Heat last played on Nov. 24, so Wade had plenty of time to rest the sore foot that kept him out for two games in the middle of the month. We'll see how he handles Brooklyn on one day of rest Saturday.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James shot 9-of-16 for 23 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 39 minutes Thursday against San Antonio's "B team."
Insight: James has scored at least 20 points in all 14 games this season. His one blemish is his free-throw shooting; after Thursday's 3-of-6 James is shooting .659 from the charity stripe.
Description: Heat shooting guard Ray Allen is active for Thursday's showdown against the San Antonio Spurs. Allen was questionable with a back injury.
Insight: Allen has accepted a lesser role this season, his first in Miami, but he's been effective nevertheless due to excellent shooting percentages. He's made 52.9 percent of his 3-point attempts and 51 percent overall from the field while collecting his usual three-plus rebounds, two-plus assists and one-plus steals per game.
Description: Heat forward Shane Battier has a sprained MCL but the team won't have a timetable for his return until after an MRI is taken. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: Battier will likely miss a few games. The forward is averaging 2.1 3-pointers per game but little else. He's more important to his own team than your fantasy team.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James turned the ball over seven times Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, his most of the season, but he also scored 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting with six rebounds, five assists and a block and hit 8-of-9 from the foul line.
Insight: James has scored at least 20 points in all 13 games this season and was averaging just 2.0 TOs per game prior to Saturday. The nine free-throw attempts tied a season high and his eight makes were three more than he's made in any game this season.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade will play Saturday versus Cleveland. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: Wade was dealing with some migraines Friday but they are no longer an issue. Wade scored 28 points Wednesday after missing two games due to foot soreness.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh has been incredible this season, averaging 20 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game through 12 games. Bosh scored 24 points for the second consecutive game and grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds Wednesday against Milwaukee.
Insight: Bosh is taking fewer shots and playing fewer minutes than last season but is hitting on 56.1 percent from the field and making 86.1 percent from the foul line.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting in 37:46 Wednesday against the Bucks after missing the previous two games with foot soreness.
Insight: Wade scored his most points since the season opener and played his second-highest minutes total of the season. Hopefully his foot issues are behind him.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade will return to action Wednesday night against the Bucks. Wade had missed back-to-back games because of a foot injury.
Insight: Wade's return will bump Mike Miller out of the starting five. Wade scored 22 points in his most recent game versus Milwaukee back on February 13th.
Description: Ethan Skolnick from the Palm Beach Post reports that Heat guard Dwyane Wade is expected to play Wednesday against Milwaukee. Wade has missed Miami's last two games with an injured foot.
Insight: Wade practiced in full for the second day in a row on Tuesday. He's averaging 23.6 ppg in 24 career meetings with the Bucks.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade (foot) practiced fully Monday but wouldn't commit to playing in Wednesday's game. SOURCE: Tom Haberstroh, ESPN.com
Insight: Wade has missed two straight games and aggravating a foot injury on Nov. 14 against the Clippers. Even if he can't play Wednesday, at least he's making progress.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh chipped in with 24 points Saturday in a win over Phoenix.
Insight: Bosh was incredibly efficient from the field, converting on nine of his 11 field goal attempts. He also helped fantasy owners in the rebounding department by grabbing nine rebounds. Now all he needs to do is cut down on his turnovers: Bosh gave the ball away five times on Saturday night.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James showed an undying commitment to his fantasy owners by playing through an illness Saturday night in Phoenix. In 41 minutes, The King collected 21 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
Insight: James definitely wasn't at his best on Saturday. At one point, he even had to leave the floor to go vomit. But as we predicted earlier, a sick LeBron is still better than most. Luckily for fantasy owners, LeBron and the Heat don't play again until Wednesday and by then, he should be back at 100 percent. Let's just hope he doesn't spread the illness to any of his teammates.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James will play Saturday against Phoenix despite missing the team's shootaround with the flu earlier in the day.
Insight: LeBron with the flu is probably still better than almost anybody else in the league. He's been a fantasy goliath all season and we wouldn't expect this illness to hold him back too drastically, especially with Dwyane Wade (foot) out of the lineup.
Description: Heat point guard Mario Chalmers practiced Saturday and is expected to play against the Suns. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: Chalmers strained his right triceps in the right half Thursday and didn't return. The guard has only scored in double figures once this season and can be left on the waiver wire, even with Dwyane Wade out.
Description: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he doesn't expect guard Dwyane Wade (foot) to play Saturday night. SOURCE: Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Insight: The Heat don't play again until Wednesday and only have three games in the next 12 days following Saturday. We could see Wade miss all three.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (foot) will not play Thursday against the Denver Nuggets.
Insight: Wade aggravated his foot injury Wednesday. Mike Miller will start Thursday in Wade's place but is not likely to play enough minutes to be a fantasy option.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (foot) will not play Thursday against the Denver Nuggets.
Insight: Wade aggravated his foot injury Wednesday. Mike Miller will start Thursday in Wade's place but is not likely to play enough minutes to be a fantasy option.
Description: Shooting guard Dwyane Wade struggled mightily on Wednesday night, producing just six points on 2-of-10 shooting as the Heat fell to the Clippers by a score of 107-100.
Insight: Wade has seen his season scoring average dip to a mediocre 16.9 ppg during his recent cold streak (11 ppg on 30.2 shooting in his last three games). The eight-time All-Star is playing with an injured foot right now and clearly, it has affected his play. You may want to go with a more reliable option at shooting guard until Wade is closer to full health.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James stayed hot by scoring 30 points in a loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Insight: He's averaging a sensational 34 ppg in his last two contests and 24.6 ppg for the year, fourth-best in the NBA. The King continues to do it all for Miami. He'll be on the court again Thursday night for a game versus Denver.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade will get the start Wednesday against the Clippers. Wade sprained his right foot Monday against Houston.
Insight: Wade went for X-rays before the game and apparently they didn't reveal anything too serious. Don't expect the eight-time All-Star to be as explosive as usual when he takes the floor tonight at Staples Center.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade sat out the Wednesday shootaround with a sprained left foot. He is questionable for Wednesday's game against the LA Clippers.
Insight: Wade will be a game-time decision. He has averaged 18.4 ppg this season, his lowest scoring average since his rookie season in 2003-04 (16.2 ppg).
Description: Miami forward LeBron James was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 5-11. James averaged 21 points on .569 shooting with 11.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in four games.
Insight: We've seen a more efficient LeBron this season. He's shooting a career-best 55.3 percent from the field and turning the ball over just 2.0 times per game. He's also averaging 10.0 rebounds after seven games.
Description: Heat center Chris Bosh knocked in 24 points and added five rebounds Friday in a win over Atlanta.
Insight: Bosh has gotten off to an excellent start, averaging 20.2 ppg through his first six contests. Don't expect him to post these kind of numbers all season though. Bosh's production should drop slightly when Dwyane Wade returns to the lineup (Wade missed Friday's game with an illness).
Description: Miami forward LeBron James had another huge fantasy night Friday against Atlanta. In 36 minutes, he racked up 21 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Insight: James has been shockingly consistent in 2012-13. He has now scored at least 20 points and collected seven or more rebounds in every game this season.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade is sick and won't be available for Friday night's game against the Hawks.
Insight: Wade has averaged 20.4 ppg this season, his lowest scoring average since his rookie season in 2003-04 (16.2 ppg). Mike Miller (1.2 ppg) will grab the start at shooting guard in Wade's absence.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James turned in another balanced effort Wednesday against Brooklyn. In just 30 minutes of action, the reigning league MVP finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Insight: James knocked down all four of his free throw attempts while committing just two turnovers. Miami plays again Friday night in Atlanta.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored 22 points with six assists and two steals Monday against the Suns.
Insight: Wade scored less than 20 points in two straight games following his 29-point game in the opener. He's only got to the foul line 10 times in the last three games, one less than he did in that season opening win.
Description: Heat point guard Mario Chalmers scored nine points with four rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and three 3-pointers Monday against the Suns.
Insight: Chalmers had gone 0-for-6 from 3-point range in the first three games this season but he made all three from long distance Monday. Chalmers is averaging 7.0 assists per game through four contests, but he'll have to hit more threes to be fantasy worthy.
Description: Heat shooting guard Ray Allen bounced back from a quiet game on Friday by posting a season-high 23 points Saturday versus the Nuggets.
Insight: Allen drained six of his ten three-point tries while knocking in his lone free throw attempt. You can't expect this kind of production from the aging Allen on a nightly basis but he is still worth holding onto in fantasy.
Description: Miami center Chris Bosh went ballistic Saturday night against the Nuggets. In 39 minutes of action, Bosh tallied 40 points on 15-for-22 shooting.
Insight: Bosh came down with seven rebounds as well. The seven-time All-Star had scored just 31 points combined in his previous two outings.
Description: Miami small forward LeBron James came within one rebound of his 36th career triple-double Saturday in a win against Denver.
Insight: The 27-year-old continues to deliver the goods for fantasy owners. James registered 20 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds while also contributing two blocks. The Heat's next contest will be Monday night in Phoenix.
Description: Heat guard Ray Allen scored 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting in his first game with the team, a 120-107 season opening victory over his former team the Boston Celtics.
Insight: Allen played 31 minutes, which is around what fantasy owners should expect from him all season. The shooting guard should post his usual excellent free-throw percentage with 2-3 threes per game.
Description: Heat forward Chris Bosh scored 19 points and had 10 boards with three blocked shots in Tuesday's opening night win against the Celtics.
Insight: Bosh played 37 minutes. Fantasy owners should expect Bosh to turn in similar lines all season as Miami's third option, though less blocks are likely.
Description: Heat point guard Mario Chalmers scored eight points and dished out 11 assists with three steals in 36 minutes in Miami's season opener against the Celtics Tuesday.
Insight: Chalmers in a fringe fantasy player at best after averaging 9.8 ppg and 3.5 apg last season. If you do own him, it will be for his 3-point shooting -- 1.6 made threes per game last year, zero Tuesday.
Description: Heat guard Dwyane Wade scored 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting (9-of-11 FT) with three rebounds, four assists and two steals in Tuesday's season opening victory over the Boston Celtics.
Insight: Wade dealt with a knee injury for most of last season but he's poised for a big bounce-back season in 2012-13.
Description: Heat guard Dwayne Wade is questionable for Tuesday's game against Boston with a left knee problem.
Insight: Wade has no reason to force the action early in the season as the team is the favorite to repeat their title run. The important thing for the Wade and the rest of the Heat is to be ready at playoff time. Wade averaged 22.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 4.6 apg.
Description: Heat small forward LeBron James should be fine for Tuesday night's season opener despite getting kicked in the face and injuring his ankle Friday against New Orleans.
Insight: James finished the night with 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting. James will face the Celtics, a team he averaged 28.3 ppg against in 2011-12, on opening night.
Description: Miami C/PF Joel Anthony missed Friday night's preseason game against the Hornets and is questionable for Tuesday's season opener against Boston. Anthony has been dealing with an injured hamstring for over a month.
Insight: Anthony isn't fantasy worthy with his 3.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg averages, but his absence would leave more playing time to Udonis Haslem.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen was 6-for-9 with four rebounds and three assists in a 98-92 win against Charlotte.
Insight: It was Allen's best shooting performance of the exhibition season. He has late-round value for his three-point shooting prowess, but health will likely be a year-long issue.
Description: Heat forward Chris Bosh had 21 points, seven rebounds and five hits in Tuesday's preseason game versus Charlotte.
Insight: Dwyane Wade didn't play in the game. Bosh will be the third option in Miami's offense during the regular season but should still contribute 18 points and eight boards a game.
Description: Heat guard Mike Miller knocked down four 3-pointers in five attempts in Saturday's preseason game against San Antonio.
Insight: Miller has shown the ability to catch fire from downtown his entire career, and hit seven 3-pointers in the decisive Game 5 of the NBA Finals against Oklahoma City last June despite dealing with a back injury that had him contemplating retirement. He won't receive enough playing time to factor in most fantasy leagues this season.
Description: Heat Forward Rashard Lewis scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting (3-of-6 3FG) in Saturday's preseason game against the Spurs.
Insight: Lewis averaged just 7.8 points per game last season, the sixth straight season his scoring average declined. Aside from ineffectiveness, the veteran just hasn't been able to stay healthy in the last few years. He could end up being the fourth scoring option after Miami's "Big 3" but he's not going to be good for much besides a couple of threes per game -- nobody besides LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh scored in double figures for the team last season.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James sat out Saturday's preseason game against San Antonio with "general soreness."
Insight: We're guessing the Heat just don't want to risk injuring James before the start of the regular season, which begins on October 30th against Boston.
Description: Rumors are swirling that Heat forward LeBron James could join the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2013-14 season. SOURCE: Orange County Register
Insight: LeBron denied these rumors but it does seem like bolting to L.A. could be a possibility for James in the future. It's no secret James loves being in the spotlight which makes him a perfect fit for Hollywood. Plus, Kobe Bryant has hinted that he might retire within the next two seasons, leaving the Lakers with enough cap space to sign a huge free agent like James. But that's still two years away. For now, expect The King to continue putting up monster fantasy numbers alongside fellow superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach.
Description: Miami guard Ray Allen scored 15 points off the bench Thursday in an exhibition win over the Clippers.
Insight: Allen went 4-of-8 from three-point distance. Despite his reserve role playing behind Dwayne Wade, we expect Allen to be a key contributor for the Heat this season now that his ankle is healthy again.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James led his team with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists Thursday in a 94-80 win over the Clippers at the Mastercard Center in Beijing, China.
Insight: Pretty impressive considering James was only on the floor for 26 minutes. James made 8-of-9 free throws while committing two turnovers. He projects to be the top pick in most fantasy drafts this season.
Description: Miami forward LeBron James has put an emphasis on strengthening his low-post moves this offseason and looks to spend "most of [his] time this year in the paint" according to Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com.
Insight: Playing closer to the hoop should improve James' already fantastic field goal percentage and it could also help him get to the free throw line more often. James is easily the most complete fantasy player in the game and certainly deserving of the No. 1 overall selection on fantasy draft day.
Description: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra plans to limit Dwayne Wade's minutes this year and might even give the veteran shooting guard sporadic days off throughout the year to rest him for the postseason.
Insight: This declaration might come as a bit of a red flag to fantasy owners who were planning on taking Wade early in this year's draft. Certainly this presents a little reason to hesitate but we still consider Wade one of the league's premier talents and a lock for 20 points a game this season.
Description: The Heat aren't overly optimistic about guard Dwyane Wade's chances of returning before the start of the regular season.
Insight: Wade had to pull out of the Olympics after undergoing knee surgery and it looks like he still hasn't fully recovered from it yet. Miami opens the season October 30th at home against its archrival, the Boston Celtics.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade, who missed the Olympics because of July knee surgery, expects to be ready for opening night.
Insight: Last season was hard on Wade's knees because of the condensed schedule, so he could be healthier in 2012-13. He also may score less and assist more with the additions of three-point shooter Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to the Heat's roster.
Description: Miami guard Dwyane Wade missed the Olympics because of offseason knee surgery but he's confident he'll be on the floor for the Heat's season opener against the Celtics in late October.
Insight: Last season was hard on everybody because of the condensed schedule so expect a healthier Wade to contribute more offensively than he did last season (22.1 ppg, Wade's lowest scoring average since 2003-04).
Description: Heat guard Ray Allen told the Hartford Courant that his ankle is feeling about 75 to 80 percent right now. Allen underwent surgery on the bothersome ankle back in June.
Insight: Allen (14.2 ppg in 2011-12) still has plenty of time to recover before the season starts and there's little doubt that he'll be on the court October 30th for Miami's season opener against the Celtics.
Description: Celtics coach Doc Rivers blames himself for Ray Allen's departure this offseason.
Insight: Rivers claims that his decision to move Allen to a reserve role while granting Rajon Rondo total control of the Boston offense was what caused Allen to sign elsewhere: "I'm the guy who decided that Rondo needed to be more of the leader of the team ... Ray did not love that." The Celtics will face Allen and the world-champion Heat in the season opener October 30th in Miami.
Description: Small forward James Jones wants to return to the Heat next season. Jones had originally planned to retire following the 2011-12 season.
Insight: If Jones does come back, it's doubtful that he'll be able to play any kind of significant role in the team's offense next season, especially with three-point specialists Ray Allen (14.2 ppg) and Rashard Lewis (7.8 ppg) already under contract. Jones averaged 3.6 ppg on 40.4 percent three-point shooting in 51 regular season contests for Miami last season.
Description: Forward Rashard Lewis, who was recently bought out by the Hornets, has agreed to a two-year, $2.75 million contract with the Miami Heat, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
Insight: Lewis averaged just 7.8 points per game last season and has played in only 85 of a possible 230 games in the past three seasons. He can be ignored in fantasy drafts, as the Heat won't have enough shots to support another fantasy viable player after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen and Mario Chalmers.
Description: Former Celtics guard Ray Allen has agreed to become a member of the Miami Heat. The deal is worth $9 million over three seasons.
Insight: The 36-year-old Allen (14.2 ppg in 2011-12) will back up Heat guard Dwyane Wade and serve as the team's sixth man. Allen recently underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle.
Description: Heat forward Chris Bosh will bow out of this year's Olympic games as he continues to deal with a lingering ab injury.
Insight: Bosh (18 pgg, 7.9 rpg) was hampered by the abdominal strain throughout most of the playoffs and he may end up needing surgery to repair the damage. Bosh tallied 9.1 ppg as a member of Team USA at the 2008 games in Beijing.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade needs knee surgery and will pull out of the Olympics.
Insight: This should actually improve Wade's standing in fantasy basketball next season, as he really doesn't need to be playing more stressful minutes for Team USA coming off the Heat's playoff run. The time off should allow him to rest up and be ready to go for the start of the regular season.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade's sore left knee could prevent him from playing for Team USA in the upcoming Summer Olympics.
Insight: The Heat just won the NBA championship in a year with a condensed schedule so Wade has to be feeling a bit worn out. As huge of an honor as it would be to represent his country in the Olympics, you can understand why Wade might want to skip the games this time around.
Description: Heat forward LeBron James says his leg is feeling better and that he "should be fine" to play Thursday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against Oklahoma City. James missed time during Tuesday night's Game 4 while battling leg cramps.
Insight: Despite the leg cramps, James finished one rebound away from a triple-double on Tuesday and made a clutch three-pointer in the final minutes to help put the game out of reach. There is absolutely no way that James won't be on the court Thursday night with a chance to bring home his first NBA title.
Description: Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade left Tuesday night's NBA Finals Game 4 briefly after suffering a back injury but has since returned to the game.
Insight: Wade has averaged 22.7 ppg on 41 percent shooting through the first three games of the series.
