How are Rondo, Wade after injuries?
by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports
Two story lines to follow during Thursday night’s three-game NBA slate:
How are ankle and foot injuries to Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade?
Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets, 8, TNT: Rondo extended his streak of 10-assist games to 32 Wednesday night in the Celtics’ win against the Utah Jazz, but he left when he twisted his right ankle in the third quarter. His playing status against the Nets is undetermined. Without Rondo, the Celtics offense stalls. He is the only true playmaker on the team, and Jason Terry likely will move from starting shooting guard to the point to replace him. It hurts even more that the injury comes a day before Deron Williams rolls into town. Williams is a big, aggressive point guard who is coming off his best performance of the season, a 26-point, 10-assist game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Nets have won three in a row and aren’t likely to be challenged by a punchless Celtics offense sans Rondo.
Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets, 10:30, TNT: Wade played Wednesday on a sprained left foot and ankle, but he did not play well. The Heat guard shot 2-for-10 from the field in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Wade had offseason knee surgery and sat out of last Friday’s win against the Atlanta Hawks with the cold. He shows his age more than most 30-year-olds because of his aggressive style of play. But the Heat have lost three of their five road games and don’t want to make a habit of it. The Nuggets are coming off a surprising loss to the Phoenix Suns that ended a four-game winning streat. LeBron James or Shane Battier likely will pick up Andre Iguodala on defense, but Denver has a deep rotation full of capable scorers on the wings to test Wade.
Can the New York Knicks keep up their unbelievable start?
Knicks at San Antonio Spurs, 8:30: The hottest team in basketball faces perhaps the best. Someone tell us why this isn’t nationally televised. For those with NBA League Pass, though, there’s a rare Thursday night off-TNT treat. The Knicks are the NBA’s … [For more on Tonight's NBA schedule: How are Rondo, Wade after injuries?, click here.]
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