Heat activate F-C Laettner, place G-F Smith on IL
February 26, 2005

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Miami Heat will have reserve forward-center Christian Laettner back to help fill the void created by superstar Shaquille O'Neal's injured knee.

Before their home game against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, the Heat activated Laettner from the injured list. The 6-11 Laettner had been placed on the IL on February 3 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

In his first season with the Eastern Conference-leading Heat and 14th overall, Laettner has played in 32 games, averaging 5.7 points and 2.9 rebounds. He is expected to share time with center Michael Doleac in the absence of O'Neal, who is day-to-day with a mild left knee sprain.

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To make room on their roster for Laettner, the Heat placed newly acquired guard-forward Steve Smith on the injured list with a lower back strain.

Smith, who was dealt by the expansion Charlotte Bobcats to the Heat for forward Malik Allen and cash considerations prior to Thursday's trade deadline, has averaged 7.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 37 games this season.