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Bosh Coming Back? Heat Big Man A 'Game-Time Decision' For Game 5

Chris Bosh has been out since Game 1 of the Eastern semifinals. He may be ready to return to action for Game 5 of the Heat's series against the Celtics.

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17 Total Updates since May 13, 2012
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Chris Bosh Injury Update: Heat Forward Could Play 'In Spurts'

There was some belief that Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh would be able to play in Tuesday night's match-up with the Boston Celtics, and that appears to be the case. It does not look like Bosh is going to play a significant role for Miami in Game 5 however, according to Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Spoelstra said that Bosh would be used in "short bursts" and that he would play a "small role" and said that Bosh would likely play center. He also worked to downplay expectations.

"He doesn't have to be the Chris Bosh he was seven weeks ago," he said. "We can build up to that. He just has to give us solid minutes and help our rotation get worked out."

Bosh suffered a lower abdominal injury during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Indiana Pacers and hasn't played since. The Heat could definitely use another big man on the court who can score, even if it's just in short bursts from Bosh.

For more on the Heat, head over to Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Celtics, check out CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston.

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Chris Bosh's Rehab Turns Fatal

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Chris Bosh Injury Update: Heat Forward A 'Game-Time Decision' For Game 5 Vs. Celtics

The Miami Heat have managed a couple of home wins over the Boston Celtics without injured big man Chris Bosh, but based on what happened in Game 4 in Boston, the Heat might need him back to win the series. LeBron James picked up a few fouls while attempting to guard Kevin Garnett in the post, which led to his fouling out.

Erik Spoelstra has been asked before every game of the series how close Bosh was to returning, and he gave his most optimistic answer yet in the morning before Game 5. Bosh is a game-time decision on Tuesday night.

Bosh has been out since Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, when he sustained an abdominal injury.

For more on the Heat, head over to Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Celtics, check out CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston.

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Chris Bosh Injury Status: Miami Heat Could Get Big Man Back For Game 5

The Miami Heat had chances on Sunday night, but neither LeBron James nor Dwyane Wade were able to come through in the clutch, allowing the Boston Celtics to tie the Eastern Conference Finals at two games apiece. The Heat could get a boost by the time the two teams meet again, as the third member of Miami's "Big Three" seems poised for a return.

There isn't anything concrete as of yet -- and likely won't be until the Heat meet with the media on Monday afternoon -- but ESPN's Tom Haberstroh took an educated guess on Chris Bosh's status for Game 5.

It'll be interesting to see how effective Bosh actually is when he returns considering the length of time he's been in a suit on the bench ... not to mention the underrated seriousness of an abdominal strain. Either way, the team with more talent available usually ends up winning.

For more on the Heat, head over to Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the Celtics, check out CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston.

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Heat Vs. Celtics: Chris Bosh Out for Game 4

LeBron James said Friday that the Heat would prepare for Game 4 like Chris Bosh wasn't playing. Good thing they did, because Bosh won't return from injury on Sunday night when the Celtics attempt to even the Eastern Conference Finals at 2-2.

Preview: Heat Vs. Celtics Game 4 At A Glance

ESPN.com's Michael Wallace has some quotes from Heat practice:

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Saturday that Bosh won't play Sunday and reiterated the All-Star forward has not yet advanced far enough in his recovery from an abdominal strain to gauge when he might be available for game action.

"I'm not thinking about Chris today -- I'm not," Spoelstra said before the Heat's practice at TD Garden. "He's not on my mind. And I love you, Chris, but I'm focused on Sunday. That's where all of my energies are focused right now."

The initial diagnosis on Bosh was that he could return in time for some part the Eastern Conference Finals. Right now it looks like one of the following is true:

a) Bosh is not close to a return
b) Spoelstra is not going to share much about Bosh's status with the media
c) The Heat have no idea when Bosh is coming back
d) Perhaps all of the above

Game 4 tips off on Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.

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Heat Not Expecting Chris Bosh To Be Back For Game 4 Vs. Celtics

The Miami Heat looked as bad as they have all postseason in a Game 3 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday. In particular, Kevin Garnett was a destroyer and Miami's small lineups were ineffective. Given that Chris Bosh's initial prognosis was that he could return sometime in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Game 3 result has naturally led to questions about whether the power forward would hit the court in time to help get Miami a win in Boston and a commanding 3-1.

That remains unclear, but the Heat's other two stars aren't counting on it. Here's what LeBron James said in the post-game on Friday.

"We don't know when Chris will be back. We're not going into the next game hoping that he's going to be there or whatever the case may be. We've got to prepare like he's not playing. We'll prepare for Game 4 like he's not playing."

In three regular season games against Boston this year, Bosh averaged 11.7 points (lower than usual) and 10.3 rebounds (higher). He averaged 12.8 points and 10.2 rebounds in the Heat's series against Boston in 2011.

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Chris Bosh Injury Status: Miami Heat Forward Recovering, But Likely Won't Play Game 1

The Miami Heat were able to get by the Indiana Pacers without the services of Chris Bosh, but they didn't exactly make it easy. It's likely that the Boston Celtics are going to exploit his absence a bit more in the Eastern Conference Finals, though, making the latest injury update an interesting one for Miami.

Bosh seems to be recuperating from the abdominal strain that's caused him to miss the last two weeks, but it doesn't sound as though the recovery is going quickly enough for him to be ready to play in Game 1 on Monday night. Bosh was able to go through a workout on Sunday afternoon, according to ESPN's Michael Wallace, but it doesn't sound as though that changed anything for the immediate future.

Bosh was not present on the practice court at the arena when the Heat wrapped up a workout earlier Sunday afternoon in preparation for Game 1. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after practice that there was no change in Bosh's status, and that he was preparing to be without the perennial All-Star forward going into the series opener.

"I'm not even preparing for that right now," Spoelstra said earlier Sunday when asked about Bosh's status for the series. "I'm preparing for who we have in the gym. So our focus is (Monday). And that's all I can concentrate on. We have enough to win (Monday). That's all that any of our guys should be focused on."

Bosh's presence on the floor opens quite a few things up for the Heat, but if he's unable to go, the Heat's "small" ball lineup could also give the Celtics fits as they attempt to matchup on the defensive end.

For more on the Celtics, check out SB Nation Boston and CelticsBlog. For more on the Heat, head over the SBN Tampa Bay and Peninsula Is Mightier.

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Chris Bosh Injury Update: Heat Forward Out 'Indefinitely' With Strained Abdominal Muscle

The Miami Heat were able to pull out a win on Sunday afternoon against the Indiana Pacers, but it didn't come easy. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both had to play an excellent brand of basketball down the stretch after losing fellow All-Star Chris Bosh due to injury.

It wasn't clear what exactly had happened to Bosh when he was forced out of the game, but news from the sideline was that he'd miss the remainder of the game with an abdominal strain. An MRI on Monday morning confirmed that diagnosis and, unfortunately for the Heat, the injury is going to keep him out "indefinitely."

This type of injury is tough to judge and, without the Heat giving any sort of timetable, it's difficult to guess how severe Bosh's injury is -- meaning whether it keeps him out for two games or two weeks is largely up in the air.

As long as Bosh is out, the Heat offense will struggle -- something colleague Mike Prada wrote about on Monday morning.

The Heat will especially miss Bosh offensively. When Bosh is in the game, James and Wade have a pick and pop partner that spaces the floor and opens up driving lanes. When he's not, the paint is clogged, the ball movement stinks and the "my turn" offense that many accuse the Heat of relying on too much rears its ugly head.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows and SB Nation Indiana. For more on the Heat, check out Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

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Chris Bosh's Injury, And Why The Heat Might Be In Big Trouble

The Heat won Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, but if they lose Chris Bosh for an extended period of time, they're in big trouble.

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Chris Bosh Injury Update: Heat Forward Out For Game 1 With Abdominal Strain

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh will not return to Game 1 of the team's 2012 NBA Playoffs second-round series against the Indiana Pacers. The team announced that the injury is an abdominal strain. Bosh suffered the injury after falling awkwardly on his left leg following a slam dunk late in the first half. Ronny Turiaf has replaced Bosh in the lineup.

"We've never seen Chris Bosh go back to the room like that," Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo relayed to ABC sideline reporter Lisa Salters.

Bosh was having an excellent game, posting 13 points and five rebounds. If he is out for an extended period of time, the Heat may be in trouble. They were at a disadvantage inside against Roy Hibbert and David West even with Bosh playing.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows and SB Nation Indiana. For more on the Heat, check out Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

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