MIAMI — Dwyane Wade is not necessarily struggling offensively in the Eastern Conference finals, but he has been sneaking out of the house and going to the gym to hoist shots — not out of frustration, but to build confidence.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesPoint guard Dwyane Wade, right, has not had to carry the Miami Heat by himself in the playoffs, which he usually has had to do.Wade, who said Tuesday he had followed the routine each playoff series this spring, returned to American Airlines Arena Monday night after watching part of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.
“Sometimes, you’re watching another game, and it inspires you,” Wade said. “I just want to give myself an opportunity when I get into a game to know that even if I’m missing shots, knowing that I practiced them, I took those shots over and over again, so I’m confident whether, they go in or not, I’m confident. I’m just trying to get my edge.”
Wade entered Tuesday’s game averaging 19.7 points in the series, with Miami holding a 2-1 edge. Wade scored 17 points on 17 shots in the third game, but Chris Bosh dominated with 34 points. Wade’s impact is less than it was when he had to carry the Heat by himself in previous postseasons that resulted in quick exits for Miami.
“It’s just the moment and thinking about where you are and understanding this is our moment,” Wade said. “Right now, my kids were asleep. That was my job at the point. Everyone was asleep, so it gives an opportunity to say: ‘You know what? Let me try to get better at my job.’
“I’m not frustrated with my offensive game,” Wade said. “I shot 50 percent in Chicago in Game 2. In Game 3, some shots that I normally hit didn’t go in. They play good defense. But I don’t have to be frustrated with my offensive game. I have a team. I have help. You ask me this last year, yes, I’d be frustrated at this point.
“But I’m just trying to do what I can to make sure that this team is winning games. If I’m not making shots — which is not a given for anyone — I have to do other things like rebound the ball, take a charge, things that I normally don’t do.”
Wade said that results were mixed.
“Some have been great,” he said. “Some you wouldn’t even know I was in the gym.”
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