Heat at Warriors
THE STORY: The Miami Heat attempt to remain unbeaten on the road and the Golden State Warriors seek to end a five-game losing streak when the two squads meet Tuesday in Oakland. Miami is 5-0 on the road and entering the third contest of a five-game trip that wraps up with games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. The Heat are expecting guard Dwyane Wade to return to the lineup after missing three games due to a bruised left foot. Miami hasn’t played since defeating New Jersey 101-90 on Saturday behind 32 points from LeBron James. The Heat have won three straight and own the NBA’s best record. Golden State hasn’t won since defeating the New York Knicks on Dec. 28 and opened a three-game homestand by losing 88-87 to the Utah Jazz on Saturday. The Warriors are in last place in the Pacific Division after having high hopes of improvement under first-year coach Mark Jackson. Golden State will be without point guard Stephen Curry (ankle) for the third straight game.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Miami), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (Golden State)
ABOUT THE HEAT (8-1): Forward Udonis Haslem has back-to-back double-doubles, and making his performances even more impressive was the revelation after the Nets’ game that he has been playing with a cracked rib. Toughness has always been a strong suit of Haslem’s repertoire and he wasn’t happy that coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters he has played five consecutive games with the injury. “It’s a little uncomfortable, but I’m fine,” Haslem insisted. Haslem had six double-digit rebounding games and is averaging 7.8 points and 10.3 rebounds.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (2-6): The troublesome right ankle of Curry has sabotaged Golden State’s chances of getting off to a good start. Curry has already sprained the ankle three times this season and has missed the last two games. He is undergoing further examination of the ankle and a return date has not yet been set. The Warriors are a much bigger threat when Curry and Monta Ellis are both on the court, as Ellis (six turnovers against Utah) tends to try to do too much when Curry is absent.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Miami has won six straight games against Golden State.
2. Warriors center Andris Biedrins (ankle) is a game-time decision after missing the past two games.
3. Heat forward Mike Miller is close to returning from a sports hernia surgery.