Pacers, Heat expect Dwyane Wade to play in Game 3
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Both the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat expect Dwyane Wade to be in the lineup when the teams meet Sunday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Wade forearmed Indiana’s Lance Stephenson in the head with 4:05 remaining in Game 2, and the NBA said it was reviewing the play. As of Sunday’s shootarounds, the league hadn’t made a decision on whether to punish Miami’s star guard.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said too much was being made of the play, and he planned his practice as though Wade would play. The teams are tied 1-1 after Indiana defeated won 97-93 at Miami in Game 2.
“We’ll see what they find,” he said. “We think it was just a play that happens sometimes during a game. That was a competitive time in the game. He was scrambling to get back.”
Wade did not speak to the media after the shootaround.
Indiana coach Frank Vogel also said he expects Wade to be in uniform.
“We’re planning for him to play, and if he doesn’t, we’ll adjust from there.”
Miami guard Mario Chalmers said he will play. He hurt his shoulder in Game 1, then it was aggravated after Indiana’s David West made contact with him during Game 2. He said he is considering his options to protect the shoulder. Chalmers wasn’t thrilled when he saw the play in Game 2 later.
“I’ve seen it,” Chalmers said. “I think it was a little bit of a shot.”
Spoelstra said he’s not going to worry about things beyond his control.
“It’s going to be decided between these four lines, and that’s where our focus has to be.”
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