Whiteside is still out
make a prognosis of how long it would be.”
Spoelstra, though, said the definition of a contact practice is flexible.”Every situation is different,” Spoelstra said. “We’ve been through enough of these kind of situations, we have ways of being creative. It would be ideal to have a perfect five-on-five practice. If we don’t, I’m sure we can gather up some guys to get something done.”
Whiteside was on the court after Friday’s practice, going through drill work with assistant coach Juwan Howard.
Should Whiteside miss Monday’s game, the five-game absence would match the time he missed all of last season, when he was out four games in January with an eye injury and then one game later that month with an ankle sprain. The Heat went 2-3 in Whiteside’s absence last season.
The current six-game homestand is the Heat’s longest of the season. It will be followed by a six-game trip that opens Friday against the Denver Nuggets.
Goran Dragic
Heat guard Dion Waiters continues to take treatment on his troublesome left ankle.
“He works with the trainers right away,” Spoelstra said of Waiters’ halftime treatment during games. “As soon as we’re done talking, he gets with them and they start working on mobilizing, all that.” ...
Spoelstra praised Kelly Olynyk leading the Heat in charges taken this season, but also stressed perspective in comparison to team captain Udonis Haslem.
“He only has about 970 more to catch up to U.D.,” Spoelstra quipped.