Wade misses second straight day of practice

[ducks]

Wade misses second straight day of practice
By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer
June 6, 2006

MIAMI (AP) -- Battling a sinus infection, Miami guard Dwyane Wade did not work out with the Heat on Tuesday.

Wade attended practice, "but didn't do anything ultra-live," Heat coach Pat Riley said. Wade went to team meetings and planned to fly with the Heat to Dallas later Tuesday.

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Miami will practice in Dallas on Wednesday, then play Game 1 of the NBA finals there against the Mavericks on Thursday night.

"He'll be OK," said Riley, adding that he expects Wade will have a full workout Wednesday.

Wade is averaging 26.2 points in the playoffs, seventh-most in the NBA and second-most among those who reached the finals. Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas is averaging 28.4 points.

Wade was not on the Heat's practice floor when the doors opened to reporters Tuesday.

"He'll be ready," Heat center Shaquille O'Neal said. "Just getting some rest, getting some fluids. ... It happens. Just have to get his fluids and try to be ready. He'll be ready."

Wade scored at least 20 points in every playoff game until Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit, when he managed 14 on a day where he visited a hospital to receive several intravenous fluid bags to fight dehydration. He got another IV in the arena at halftime, delaying his arrival for the second half by 2 1/2 minutes.

"He had the illness, came home and was sick as a dog for Game 6," Riley said. "And he still hasn't shaken the effects of it. But he'll be ready for Thursday night. He won't be in the same state that he was, coming out of the hospital, having IVs and all that stuff. He'll be in a lot better condition."

Without Wade at his best for Game 6, the Heat got a 10-for-12, 21-point night from point guard Jason Williams -- who says Wade's health shouldn't spark any reason for concern.

"Not from over here," Williams said. "Not from anybody in here, really. I think everybody knows he'll be ready to play."

The Heat got healthier on two fronts Tuesday. Backup guard Gary Payton and reserve forward Wayne Simien were back at practice after missing the previous day. Payton missed Monday's workout with a migraine.

Payton -- a 16-year veteran seeking his first NBA le -- is averaging 6.9 points and 25.1 minutes during the playoffs, with only six turnovers in his last 11 games. Simien has appeared in two playoff games this year.

[Vizzini]

son of a , what's next, is he going to get a staph infection and have to have his leg amputated below the knee? This guy is so heroic, so tough and determined, my ass! It is nice to know that he will be okay

[Bob Lanier]

Just how long can Miami's PR department milk this out? I don't think this series is going anywhere near 7 games, so the step-by-step Willis impersonation is probably out.

[1Parker1]

Has Wade been more impressive than Lebron this playoffs?

[ducks]

Ofcourse

[mavsfan1000]

So will this be Miami's excuse to losing to the mavs in 6 games. Wade was tired and sick?

[tlongII]

Miami will beat Dallas. D-Wade and Shaq provide too much star power for the Mavs and the officials to handle.