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Dwyane Wade will play vs. Pacers despite missing shootaround

Dwyane Wade has missed six games this season because of various injuries. (Bobby Metelus/Getty Images)

Dwyane Wade has missed six games this season because of various injuries. (Bobby Metelus/Getty Images)

Heat guard Dwyane Wade will play Tuesday when Miami (16-5) plays the Pacers in Indiana (18-3) despite the nine-time All-Star missing Tuesday's team shootaround, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN. The game Tuesday night is a possible preview of the Eastern Conference Finals in the spring, as both teams already sit comfortably ahead of the field in their respective divisions.

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Wade missed Sunday's win against the Pistons in Detroit because of a minor knee injury suffered in Minnesota during the team's victory against the Timberwolves a day earlier, and has already missed six games this season. Sunday's game was also a back-to-back for the Heat, and head coach Erik Spoelstra has been keen on resting Wade to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

Wade, who turns 32 next month, is averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season for Miami. The Heat host the Pacers next week on Dec. 18 and the two teams play each other again in March and a fourth and final time in the regular season in April, a week before the NBA playoffs begin.

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