Chris Bosh Expected to Play a Larger Role in Game 6


Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, somewhat unbelievably, said it would have been “unfair” to play Chris Bosh more minutes than just the 14 he did in Game 5. Issues of fairness are apparently no longer a concern for Spo, who knows he needs more from Bosh with the Heat facing elimination in Boston tonight. From the Sun-Sentinel: “Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is still debating whether to start forward Chris Bosh Thursday against the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Bosh returned to the lineup for the first time in Tuesday’s Game 5, scoring nine points and grabbing seven rebounds. He had missed the previous nine postseason games because of a strained lower abdominal muscle. ‘I’m still going through that thought process,’ Spoelstra said. ‘I think he’ll be able to handle to a bigger load of minutes, and it will be based on how he feels throughout the game.’ Bosh said he is comfortable returning to his starting role or coming off the bench. He referred to himself as 99 percent healthy, saying he was fortunate to get one game under his belt before facing an elimination situation. ‘I just want to play,’ Bosh said. ‘It doesn’t matter to me. I think we feel confident in whoever we put out there. … We’re good enough to get the job done.’ Bosh played 14 minutes Tuesday, but only a stretch of 3 minutes, 48 seconds in the second half. Spoelstra said he felt it was unfair to expect Bosh to play in such a crucial stage in the game. Bosh said he understood the decision but should play a bigger role Thursday. ‘It’s not frustrating at all,’ Bosh said.”