Report: Bosh To Return For Game 5
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After two straight losses in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat are on the ropes and facing a very tough road to get to the NBA Finals. But the Heat are about to get a big addition to their lineup.
According to ESPN.com, the Miami Heat plan to activate power forward/center Chris Bosh for Game 5. The plan is for Bosh to go through workouts over the next two days and if no problems arise, have him in the lineup for the Heat. ESPN said Bosh could play limited minutes when he returns.
The Heat desperately need Bosh to return to the lineup at near 100 percent. He's missed the last three weeks and nine straight playoff games. Before Bosh was out, he was playing extended minutes at the center position and the Heat's lineup was rolling.
But, the Heat have run into a juggernaut at center for the Celtics in veteran All-Star Kevin Garnett. The Celtics center has abused the Heat in this series and is averaging 20.5 points and 10.8 rebounds over the four games of the series.
The Heat will have to quickly integrate him back into the offense, which has changed in his absence. The Heat have to remind LeBron and D-Wade to continue to attack the basket the way they did in the final games of the Pacers series and the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Bosh's athleticism and length will force the Celtics to change their defense to compensate for his outside shot. They will have to have either Brandon Bass or KG check Bosh when he's away from the basket. That will, in turn, open lanes for Wade and LeBron to exploit.
While LeBron and Wade are the catalysts and the scoring punch, the Heat will only go as far as Bosh can take them. The series is now down to the best two out of three games. The Heat need Chris Bosh and it appears he may be ready to answer the call.
