Getty Images/File Dwyane Wade said he didn’t play Monday night because he has “a bigger picture in mind.”
Chris Bosh dropped 21 points and LeBron James scored nine, as the two-time defending champion Heat opened the preseason with a victory over the Hawks on Monday night in Miami.
Dwyane Wade took the night off, explaining he was erring on the side of caution. He was originally in the lineup to play.
“He wants me to do what’s best for my body,” Wade said, referring to head coach Erick Spoelstra. “I’ve been practicing very hard, going very hard. I could play, but I just think it’s smarter that in consecutive days of going so hard, just be smart today, rest a little bit, let my legs recover.”
Bosh scored 21 points and as always, his shots were smooth and efficient. Bosh began the game with nine consecutive points. He had 19 points in the first half and finished the game 7 of 8 from the field and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line.
With the exception of Bosh’s excellent performance, it was a typical preseason game – it was sloppy and the Heat led by as many as 22 points in the second half.
In the Heat’s first game of the 2013 NBA preseason, they beat the Hawks 92-87.
Checkout the highlight of Monday’s game in the video below.
