Dwyane Wade plans to return to Heat lineup on Friday, tuning up for playoffs
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, left, sits on the bench with forward LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in Miami. Wade was ruled out of Tuesday's home game against the Bucks, the fifth straight contest that the All-Star guard will miss while tending to a sprained ankle and bruised knee. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (The Associated Press)
Dwyane Wade plans to return to the Miami Heat lineup on Friday, when the reigning NBA champions play host to the Boston Celtics.
Wade has missed Miami's last six games while dealing with knee and ankle issues. Wade tells The Associated Press that doctors eventually discovered three separate bone bruises around his right kneecap, but that rest and treatment has largely taken care of the problem.
Wade says he isn't sure how much he will play against Boston. Standings-wise, the game means nothing to the Heat, who will finish the regular season with the best record in the NBA and have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Celtics plan to play without Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, both of whom are dealing with left ankle soreness.