Depth paying off for Heat, with stars all dealing with injury issues

Miami Heat's Chris Andersen (11) reachess for a rebound next to Philadelphia 76ers' Thaddeus Young (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, April 6, 2013, in Miami. The Heat defeated the 76ers 106-87. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Miami Heat's Chris Bosh watches from the sidelines in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday, April 6, 2013, in Miami. The Heat won 106-87. Bosh did not play due to a sore right knee. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

If there's an upside for the Miami Heat to play without LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at times as the regular season winds down, it's that the reigning NBA champions get reminded of their depth.

Bench play has been particularly strong of late for the Heat, who are close to wrapping up home-court advantage throughout the entirety of the NBA playoffs.

Mike Miller scored 26 points to lead the Heat to a win on Friday night. Chris Andersen grabbed 15 rebounds off the bench in just over 25 minutes on Saturday night, a game against Philadelphia where Rashard Lewis nearly outscored the 76ers by himself in the fourth quarter.

And neither Miller, Andersen nor Lewis would be a candidate to start for Miami in the playoffs, barring an injury issue.