BULLS LET 19- POINT LEAD SLIP AWAY IN FIRST LOSS ON TRIP
Veteran’s style of play has evolved, and it helps him stay fresh, healthy
LOS ANGELES — Dwyane Wade came into the regular season with a number in his head.
He wasn’t married to it, and it needn’t be etched in stone, especially with 34- year- old knees turning 35 on Jan. 17.
But there was a precedent set in his last go- round with the Heat.
Wade played in 74 games last season — his most since 2010- 11 — averaging 30.5 minutes.
“We haven’t talked about it like that,’’ Wade said when the minutesper- game questions first cropped up. “Coach [ Fred Hoiberg] hasn’t said, ‘ OK, you’re going to play 30 minutes exactly.’ But I think I’m gonna be around 30, 32 minutes.’’
Wade entered the game Saturday against the Clippers averaging 29.8 minutes and, more important, had started all 13.
The Bulls needed some extra minutes from Wade against the Clippers but still came up short in a 102- 95 loss in which they blew a 19- point lead
Wade played 35 minutes, led the Bulls ( 8- 5) with 28 points and shot 5- for- 9 from three- point range.
His presence on and off the court has been instrumental in the team’s early success. The more he’s suited up and able to go, the better the engine runs.
“D- Wade’s been huge,’’ forward Taj Gibson said. “Just the way he has come in and leads, and I think the player that has benefitted the most is Jimmy [ Butler].
“I’m surprised at how mature [ Butler] is. He’s a lot more mature than he was, as far as how he’s been with the guys, how he’s communi-- cating. He’s always critiquing the game, but he’s always positive. Last year, he had his times when he was questioning things, and he didn’t know how to let it out. But this year, having D- Wade helps him a lot.’’
So how do Hoiberg and the training staff make sure Wade stays fresh for the long haul?
“The biggest thing is just having communication with him, seeing how he feels,’’ Hoiberg said. “The plan is to stick with what we’ve been doing, change it if we have to.’’
There were no plans to give Wade a game off.
He has played in both back- to-backs and planned to play Sunday against the Lakers in his third backto- back in just over three weeks.
That was subject to change depending on how he felt when he woke up Sunday morning, but keeping that option open is just the way of life for Wade in his 14th season.
“It’s my job to try to take care of my body away from basketball,’’ Wade said. “And then when I’m on the court, I pray and knock on wood that I don’t get injured.’’
Wade has been given his breathers on practice days. Let’s just say he knows when to take a “mental day’’ and talks with Hoiberg constantly.
With the Bulls, his style of play has evolved, which also works in his favor. Wade can still challenge the trees in the paint and attack with some physicality, but he’s developing into more of an outside- shooting option in Hoiberg’s offense, as evidenced by his 17- for- 45 ( 37.8 per- cent) three- point shooting.
In his last season with the Heat, Wade took only 44 three- pointers.
“I’m just looking to play as many games as possible,’’ Wade said. “You want to be out there with your guys every day. I’m 34 going on 35. I want to take advantage of every moment and opportunity and help give my team a chance to win.’’
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