Dexter

Pittman

Haslem is a forgotten man playing behind Chris Bosh, but got some run with Joel Anthony (ankle) sidelined tonight, with Dexter Pittman starting at center. If the Heat ever chose to start Bosh at center and Haslem at PF, he’d have immediate fantasy value, but it isn’t likely to happen.

“He should be able to go Friday if everything goes fine,” Spoelstra said. The starting center was a late scratch just before Tuesday’s win against the Suns and is averaging 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per night.

Anthony had started all 44 of the Heat’s games this season, providing a defensive presence at 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per night. He sprained his left ankle during Sunday’s win over the Magic. Seldom-used Dexter Pittman will make his first career start, while Udonis Haslem figures to see a little boost in minutes.

Pittman has only been useful in a handful of games this season and has no fantasy value. Terrel Harris scored eight points with six rebounds and four assists, playing 35 minutes in the blowout win over the Bobcats.

We’ll have a timetable for his return once the results are known, but there’s a real chance that Bosh could be sidelined for the rest of the second round. Manu Ginobili missed 15 games with a strained abdomen this season, and they are easy to aggravate, but hopefully Bosh’s isn’t too severe. Ronny Turiaf, Dexter Pittman and Joel Anthony will all play bigger roles until he returns.

Pittman will provide some depth in the frontcourt for the Heat, but currently has no fantasy value.

The move sends Dexter Pittman back to the bench. Anthony is averaging 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on the season.

Only a few starters played for either team (Mario Chalmers, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass, Avery Bradley) and only four players scored in double digits on the night. James Jones chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds and three pointers, and Udonis Haslem had six points and 13 rebounds in the ugly loss. And with the Heat now locked into the No. 2 seed and nothing to play for, expect more of the same on Thursday against the Wizards. Pittman, Haslem and Jones might be worth adding for that one, but Mario Chalmers (eight points, 3-of-10 shooting, 28 minutes) could be due for a rest, clearing the way for Norris Cole to get more minutes. Cole had six points in 26 minutes tonight, so there aren’t really any clear cut must-own players in Miami, despite the skeleton crew they’re running out there.

Miami used some hideous lineups, and at one point beat writer Ethan Skolnick was moved to write, “Dexter Pittman might be the most skilled offensive player on the floor for Heat.” This was the third time all season that Pittman has scored 10+ points.

We’re assuming Pittman’s shoulder was the issue, but regardless he’s not an impactful player in fantasy leagues.