- Back from a long and weary road trip, tonight's match marks the first home game since two Tuesdays ago, January 4th. Miami will have one more game in the next 8 days allowing for some much needed rest for the hobbled group.
- For the first time in their short history together, the Miami Three all missed team practice on Monday. James and Wade are expected to play but Bosh is doubtful after experiencing continuous soreness.
- Veteran Juwan Howard is most likely to replace Bosh in the starting lineup. James at power forward could give the Heat an advantage in transition with a small ball lineup but would be negated by the task of keeping the burly Josh Smith away from the basket and the corresponding risk of picking up unnecessary fouls.
- Hawks are coming off a close win over the Kings last night. Heat are coming off a birthday celebration for Wade on Sunday. Aside from the birthday cake resembling but not yet epically reaching James' birthday behemoth, where is the rest of the team?
| Home | Away | ||
| Miami | Atlanta | ||
| Heat | Hawks | ||
| 30-12 | Record | 27-15 | |
| (5th of 30) 110.8 | Off Rtg | 108.0 (12th of 30) | |
| (3rd of 30) 102.2 | Def Rtg | 105.0 (12th of 30) | |
| (20th of 30) 91.1 | Pace | 90.6 (22nd of 30) | |
| Likely Starters | |||
| Carlos Arroyo | PG | Mike Bibby | |
| Dwyane Wade | SG | Maurice Evans | |
| Lebron James | SF | Joe Johnson | |
| Juwan Howard | PF | Josh Smith | |
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas | C | Al Horford | |
| James Jones | 6th | Jamaal Crawford | |
| Matchup Series 1-0 | |||
| American Airlines Arena | |||
| 7:30 PM EST | |||
| NBA TV / Sun Sports / 790 AM | |||
| Injury Report: | |||
| Heat: U. Haslem (out indefinitely), C. Bosh (doubtful) | |||
| Hawks: M. Williams (out indefinitely) | |||