Miami, now home, hopes injured return

CHICAGO — After a fifive-game losing streak and a 7-17 start to the season, the Heat see light at the end of the dark tunnel they’re in right now.

T h a t ’s b e c au s e Mi a mi hopes it will get key players back from injury during its upcoming six-game homestand.

The Heat just fifinished a challenging 13-game stretch that included 10 road games. Miami recorded a 4-9 record during that time, playing some games with eight and nine available players due to injuries.

“Hopefully, we get those guys back and we have a cou- ple of days where we can go to practice, sleep in our bed at home and see kids, family, and not be in the cold weather anymore,” point guard Goran Dragic said. “I think that’s going to help give us that confifidence we can go further.”

Eve n t h o u g h t h e He a t begin a season-long six-game homestand tonight that will span 11 days, it won’t be easy.

The homestand includes three losing teams — Washi n g t o n Wi z a r d s ( 9 - 1 3 ) , Orlando Magic (10-15) and Los Angeles Lakers (10-15) — that all have a better record than Miami. The string of home games also includes games against the Pacers (12-12), Clippers (17-7) and Celtics (13-10).

“I’m not going to put an overriding emphasis or pressure on that,” coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about the importance of the upcoming homestand. “We’re going to get back and get to work. And hopefully, like I said, have one or two guys coming back from injuries. But regardless, let’s see if we can continue to build the foundation and take the next step.”

Even if Miami’s injured players aren’t ready to return for the start of the homestand, playing at home will allow the entire Heat team to be together. Luke Babbitt (hip flflexor), James Johnson (rotator cuffff strain), Justise Winslow (sprained wrist) and Dion Waiters (torn groin muscle) missed the Heat’s recently completed threegame road trip to continue treatment and rehab work in Miami.

T w e l v e H e a t p l a y e r s (including Chris Bosh) have combined to miss 100 games due to injuries over the fifirst 24 games of the season.

“We still might not have our whole team,” Josh Richardson said. But them just being on the bench with us will be good. I think once we get our whole team back, once we get healthy, things might start turning around.