The Miami Heat appear ready to close out the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, but two key players are dealing with injuries ahead of Game 5 in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said center Chris Andersen and guard Ray Allen are both dealing with slight injuries and will be re-evaluated Wednesday. Both are listed as questionable for Game 5 of the Conference Finals.
Andersen suffered a thigh bruise during Game 3 against the Pacers and was a late scratch from the active roster before Game 4. Andersen had been playing big minutes for the Heat against Pacers big man Roy Hibbert before missing Game 4.
Without Andersen in the lineup, Heat head coach put forward Rashard Lewis into the starting lineup. Lewis and Chris Bosh’s three-point shooting allowed the Heat to space the floor and completely torch the Pacers with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James slicing to the basket.
Allen reportedly had a hip/thigh problem that he was dealing with after Game 4. He’s been one of the Heat’s best players off the bench, especially late in games with his three-point shooting.
