<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>ACHING HEAT PLAYERSWade, Haslem put hurt on MavsDwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem battled aches and pains to deliver during the Heat's fourth-quarter comeback.BY BARRY JACKSONbjackson@MiamiHerald.comOne had an aching shoulder, the other an injured knee.But discomfort wouldn't stop Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade in one of the most critical games of their lives.Wade poured in 15 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter and contributed an eye-popping 13 rebounds, which led the team. Haslem expended every ounce of energy, hauling in 11 rebounds and making the steal and free throws that put the Heat ahead with just more than a minute left.Wade was brilliant early and late. He scored 21 points and snared nine rebounds in the first half, but limped through the third quarter after a freak collision with Shaquille O'Neal, who fell and rolled over on Wade's left knee.''That's a lot of weight,'' Wade told ABC afterward.But as is so often the case, Wade would not be slowed by a physical ailment. ''I've done it before,'' he told himself during the game and relayed to TV viewers afterward. ``I did it before in the Detroit [series].''He scored on jumpers, drives to the basket and every way possible in helping Miami overcome a 13-point deficit. He scored 12 in the last 6:07, despite playing with five fouls. And he stole Dirk Nowitzki's inbounds pass with less than a second remaining to seal the win.'Looking at the score, I was thinking, `I ain't going out like this,' '' Wade said of his thoughts when the Heat was down by double digits.The Heat will most certainly overlook the fact he made only one of two free throws with 1.4 seconds left, leaving Miami with a precarious two-point lead.Wade, who shot 17 for 44 in the first two games, was back to vintage form, connecting on 14 of 26 attempts, including six of nine in the fourth quarter. Wade tied his personal high for points in a playoff game and established a career high for rebounds in the playoffs.Haslem provided his usual gritty defense, helping hold Nowitzki to an 0-of-6 start before the Mavericks star caught fire in the second half. ''We just didn't give up,'' Haslem said.Despite a four-inch height disadvantage, Haslem outrebounded Nowitzki 11-7. Particularly notable was the fact Haslem corralled eight offensive rebounds -- one more than the entire Dallas team.And he did it despite playing with a left shoulder contusion that bothered him throughout the game. ''It hurts,'' he said. ``It's tough to get my arm over his head.''Haslem saved his most memorable play for the game's defining moments, when he stole Jason Terry's pass, was fouled by Terry on a breakaway and hit two free throws that put the Heat ahead 94-93 with 1:03 left. Before that point, he had been 0 of 4 from the line.''I knew what play was coming,'' Haslem said. ''I wasn't sure if I wanted to gamble.'' He said he was confident he would make the free throws, noting the first two free throws he took earlier in the game ``were bad and the next two were better. I knew the next two had to go in.''</div>Right now, Udonis Haslem has an injured shoulder and Dwyane Wade has a sore left knee (after Shaq accidentally fell on it). Do you think that these injuries will slow them down the rest of the series like in the past (last year against the Pistons) or do you think that the Heat will still play strong against the Mavs?I personally think that the injuries will not stop the Heat, if anything they will go on and get the championship title. But if not, the Mavs will be the ones to stop them, not the injuries. DWade and Haslem played terrific last night even with the injuries so I'm sure that they can continue to play strong for the rest of the series for the ultimate prize: the NBA Championship trophy.
I don't see the injuries being too much of a problem either. You just gotta play through them. Wade always seems to get at least one nic a series, but he always overcomes them. Haslem on the other hand is really one of the most durable players in the league, he takes a lot of bumping and bruising down low, but it never slows him down. He'll always give you 100% no matter what, wether it be diving for lose balls or following fast break layups. You gotta love him as a Heat fan. I knew he'd be back for game 3.
