Spoelstra says Bosh will play more in Game 6
Despite being surrounded by trying circumstances, Chris Bosh gave the Miami Heat a lift Tuesday during his 14 minutes. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Bosh will likely get even more of an opportunity Thursday in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Bosh scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds Tuesday in his first game since suffering an abdominal injury May 13. Bosh was effective when he first checked in Tuesday, but didn’t play much after his opening stint on the floor. He didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter, sitting on the bench while the Celtics took control of the game and series, going up 3-2.
Spoelstra said afterward he didn’t think it would have been “fair” to throw Bosh back on the floor in the closing minutes of the game. In addition to not playing for three weeks, a massage therapist died at Bosh’s home Monday after fainting. He and his wife called 911.
Though, an increased load is expected Thursday.
“I’m still going through that thought process,” Spoelstra said. “But I think he’ll be able to handle a bigger load of minutes, and it’ll be based more on how he’ll feel during the game.”
Bosh said postgame Tuesday that he felt good and would have been able to play more were he asked. He did not disparage Spoelstra for not playing him more. Many in the media did.
“Those are the decisions you have to make,” Spoelstra said. “And I know after the fact, those can always be second-guessed. But we’re treading in kind of new waters right now, and (Bosh) had been out quite a while. But he’ll play more tomorrow night.”
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