Bibby Set to Debut for Heat

Mike Bibby practiced with the Miami Heat for the first time Thursday, a day after signing a contract for the remainder of the season.

Bibby is expected to play Thursday night at home against the Orlando Magic. He is the latest free agent pickup hoping to be the final piece in Miami's championship puzzle. The Heat have already started two different point guards this year, Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo, who was cut this week to make room for Bibby on the roster.

The Heat have not said whether Bibby will start over Chalmers tonight. Heat fans might prefer Bibby over Chalmers, who has more turnovers and fewer assists than Miami's other point guards combined this season.

The Heat are Bibby's third team in a little more than a week. He was traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards last week, then negotiated a buyout from the Wizards on Monday.

"It's been a long week," Bibby said during a press conference Thursday.

Heat guard Dwyane Wade says the team "feels good" about Bibby's arrival, noting his playoff experience will be a major plus. Bibby has started 80 postseason games, more than anyone on the Heat roster.

More important than his playoff experience, though, will be his three-point shooting and ability to run the point late in games. Bibby is shooting 43.5% beyond the arc this year, better than anyone else on the team.