Pressure Building for Bosh to Return?
Miami shouldn’t get too confident sans (Chris) Bosh against a championship experienced Boston team coming off a big home triumph. Usual small forward Shane Battier, Bosh’s replacement, is averaging 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the conference finals. He went scoreless Friday. Bosh was averaging 14.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in six postseason games pre-injury. (Kevin) Garnett is also averaging 21.7 points and 9.7 rebounds against the Heat this series. In three regular-season games versus Miami, he averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. Being guarded by 6-foot-9 power forward Udonis Haslem isn’t the same as being matched up against the taller and longer Bosh.
“It doesn’t serve anyone well if he’s half Chris Bosh,” Battier said. “The most important thing is for him to get healthy. When he is, he will join us and he will help us. But there is no use in hoping or wishing. No time for that right now in the playoffs.
“We’re up 2-1 in the playoffs playing with a 215-pound power forward. With all things considered, it could be worse.”
It was just a year ago when Bosh was viewed as a distant third in the Heat’s “Big Three.” But with every loss in his absence, Bosh’s value increases and pressure to trade that dress shirt for a No. 1 Heat jersey gets stronger.
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