NBA Playoffs 2014: Erik Spoelstra not limiting Dwyane Wade’s minutes

Feb 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (left) and shooting guard Dwyane Wade (right) react during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the American Airlines Arena. MIami won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (left) and shooting guard Dwyane Wade (right) react during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the American Airlines Arena. MIami won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (left) and shooting guard Dwyane Wade (right) react during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the American Airlines Arena. MIami won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (left) and shooting guard Dwyane Wade (right) react during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the American Airlines Arena. MIami won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Miami Heat are taking n the Charlotte Bobcats this afternoon and the series may be one that is short lived. It’s unfair to count out the Bobcats, as they’re in the playoffs after all, but it’s also not logical to predict them winning four out of seven game against the Heat.

While it seems like nothing more than an exhibition playoff series for the Heat, that doesn’t mean they’re going to be resting players or easing injured players back into the lineup. Case an point is guard Dwyane Wade, who will not be on a minutes limit according to Orlando Sentinel beat writer Ira Winderman.

Wade has been dealing with nagging injuries all season long and has been largely ineffective for the Heat as of late. But he won’t be getting special treatment to ease him back into things and will be out there as long as he can be.

If this is going to be nothing more than an exhibition series for the Heat, Erick Spoelstra is wise to throw Wade out there to shake off as much rust as he can as early as possible.