Wade's knee feeling better; guard ready for Game 4
<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->Associated Press
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<!-- begin text11 div --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade's sore left knee is significantly better, and the Heat guard deemed himself ready for Game 4 of the NBA Finals Thursday night.
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000"><CENTER>Game 4 Predictions</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=184>
Two things that veteran Wade Watchers and Dallas Mavericks observers already know about Game 4 of the NBA Finals, without waiting to hear insider tips before the opening tap:
1. Dwyane Wade will be fine. 2. So will the Mavs. To read more of Marc Stein's predictions for Game 4, click here.
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Wade injured his knee during the second half of Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks. He tested his leg during a morning shootaround.
"A lot better," he said. "When I woke up this morning and got out bed I was able to walk on it."
Wade scored 42 points Tuesday night, leading a fourth-quarter comeback as the Heat rallied from a 13-point deficit to pull within 2-1 in the series.
On Thursday, he took part in the morning practice at AmericanAirlines Arena and was confident he would be able to play. Wade had a large ice bag wrapped around his knee during media availability.
"I didn't do nothing full steam ahead," he said. "I'll be all right. Maybe early in the game I'll be a little tentative but as the game goes on I'll forget about it."
Wade spent most of Wednesday getting treatment on the knee -- his latest medical setback in these playoffs. He already has battled the flu and a sinus infection. Wade said rest and ice made a big difference.
"I had an extra pep in my step leaving the house today because I was able to walk on it better than yesterday," he said. "I'm used to getting hurt so I kind of know what to do. Hopefully, my knee won't be a discussion anymore."
Heat forward Udonis Haslem said Wade looked like himself during the team's pregame workout.
"He looked fine," said Haslem, playing with a badly bruised shoulder. "He came out and everybody was smiling and happy. He got a couple shots up and got a couple dunks. He looked fine."
Wade's knee got banged by Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, who fell backward under the basket and collided with Wade.
On Wednesday, Wade struggled to walk and was driven around the arena on a maintenance cart.
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<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->Associated Press
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<!-- begin text11 div --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade's sore left knee is significantly better, and the Heat guard deemed himself ready for Game 4 of the NBA Finals Thursday night.
<TABLE id=inlinetable cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000"><CENTER>Game 4 Predictions</CENTER></TH><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ececec" vAlign=top><TD width=184>
1. Dwyane Wade will be fine. 2. So will the Mavs. To read more of Marc Stein's predictions for Game 4, click here.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Wade injured his knee during the second half of Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks. He tested his leg during a morning shootaround.
"A lot better," he said. "When I woke up this morning and got out bed I was able to walk on it."
Wade scored 42 points Tuesday night, leading a fourth-quarter comeback as the Heat rallied from a 13-point deficit to pull within 2-1 in the series.
On Thursday, he took part in the morning practice at AmericanAirlines Arena and was confident he would be able to play. Wade had a large ice bag wrapped around his knee during media availability.
"I didn't do nothing full steam ahead," he said. "I'll be all right. Maybe early in the game I'll be a little tentative but as the game goes on I'll forget about it."
Wade spent most of Wednesday getting treatment on the knee -- his latest medical setback in these playoffs. He already has battled the flu and a sinus infection. Wade said rest and ice made a big difference.
"I had an extra pep in my step leaving the house today because I was able to walk on it better than yesterday," he said. "I'm used to getting hurt so I kind of know what to do. Hopefully, my knee won't be a discussion anymore."
Heat forward Udonis Haslem said Wade looked like himself during the team's pregame workout.
"He looked fine," said Haslem, playing with a badly bruised shoulder. "He came out and everybody was smiling and happy. He got a couple shots up and got a couple dunks. He looked fine."
Wade's knee got banged by Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, who fell backward under the basket and collided with Wade.
On Wednesday, Wade struggled to walk and was driven around the arena on a maintenance cart.
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