The Miami Heat had planned to hold out forward Chris Bosh, who has been out since May 13 with an abdominal strain, until the NBA Finals. Pretty presumptuous, huh? That was the thought before the Celtics pulled out Game 4 in overtime Sunday night, making it a three-game series and placing a mound of pressue on Game 5 Tuesday in Miami.
Now, barring any setbacks in his final workouts, the 6-foot-10 Bosh is expected to be activated for Game 5. According to Sports Illustrated, Bosh was cleared by team doctors to travel to Boston on May 31 and has been working on the court with trainers, but hasn’t played in a game since Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers.
The Heat was able to get pass the Pacers without Bosh. But Boston seems to be another matter altogether. Without Bosh, Miami has lost its one serious low-post threat who can also hit the mid-range jump shot. Additionally, Bosh’s inside presence on defense and ability to defend multiple positions has been missed.
Udonis Haslem has started in his place and Ronny Turiaf has filled in at times nicely. But Bosh is a multi-dimensional player who should make Miami more lethal – and supply offensive relief for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade
