Heat G Wade out against Bobcats with ankle sprain

MIAMI (AP) -- Heat guard Dwyane Wade will sit out Miami's game Friday night against the Charlotte Bobcats because of a sprained right ankle.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said forwards Mike Miller (ankle) and Udonis Haslem (stomach virus) would also miss the game.

Miami is 10-1 without Wade this season, and Spoelstra said the absences of Wade and Miller aren't expected to be long term. Wade played and scored 21 points in a 96-86 overtime loss to Chicago on Thursday night.

"It's more of a maintenance program for the two of them," Spoelstra said. "Both are a little bit sore coming off last night. A little bit too quick of a turnaround for them and hopefully both of them will be ready to go for Sunday (at New York)."

Spoelstra, as he's done a few times this season, denied Wade's absence means he's resting. Spoelstra insists Wade is recovering from injuries.

Haslem, who started against the Bulls on Thursday but missed the second half, is sitting out for the first time this season. Miller has missed 26 games due to a hernia and an ankle injury.

Charlotte coach Paul Silas seemed unmoved by the absences.

"They still have a lot of other people they can depend on," he said. "If Wade, (forward Chris) Bosh, and (forward) LeBron (James) were out then I'd be smiling. (But) they depend on Wade a lot so we'll be better off with him not being here, believe me."