Wade returned to the starting lineup on Saturday night against Minnesota after missing the previous two games, one because of his knees and the other because of illness. He's missed five games this season already, and he's not happy about it.
"All of it's frustration," Wade said. "Everyone wants to be 100 percent every day. But it's a part of the game. Everyone deals with it in their own way."
The Heat were 11-2 in games Wade missed last season, but are 2-3 this year. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is trying to manage the stress on Wade's knees by resting him as much as possible when the soreness creeps up. The Heat have started Ray Allen, James Jones and Roger Mason Jr. in Wade's spot, but the results have been uneven.
Of course, Wade knows it's a long season, and the priority has to be getting his body as healthy as possible for the playoffs. The Heat are still in fine shape, entering the game against the Wolves at 14-5, right on the heels of the Indiana Pacers (17-2) for best record in the East.
"The only thing I can focus on is when I'm able to get back on the court and go out there and help my team win," Wade said.
Wade had 19 points and five rebounds in a 103-82 victory. The Wolves were without star forward Kevin Love, who left the team Thursday to mourn the passing of his grandmother. Luc Mbah a Moute started in Love's place for the Wolves.
SIXERS' CARTER-WILLIAMS SIDELINED
Sixers rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams was diagnosed with an infection in his right knee, head coach Brett Brown announced on Saturday.
After experiencing soreness in the knee following Sunday's game in Detroit, Carter-Williams did not make the Sixers' recent road trip to Charlotte.
The former Syracuse Orange star has spent three nights at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania undergoing treatment for the infection which he believes he contracted after knocking knees with a Pistons player.
Carter-Williams is officially listed as day-to-day.
Carter-Williams posted his first career triple-double on Tuesday in the Sixers' 126-125 double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic, finishing the night with 24 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and 10 assists before complaining of knee soreness.
Carter-Williams is averaging 17.7 points and 7.3 assists and leads the NBA with 3.1 steals per game. He was honored Tuesday as the NBA Eastern Conference rookie of the month.
Wade goes through shoot-around for Heat
Dwyane Wade participated in the Miami Heat's shoot-around on Saturday in advance of their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wade has missed the last two games for the Heat, both losses. He missed the game against the Pistons on Tuesday because of soreness in his knee and then missed the game on Thursday in Chicago because of an illness.
Wade has missed five games this season, mostly to reduce the wear and tear on the 31-year-old shooting guard's knees. Chris Andersen was also at shoot-around on Saturday after missing the Bulls game for personal reasons.
The Timberwolves are missing star forward Kevin Love for the high-profile matchup. Love flew home on Thursday to be with his family following the death of his grandmother.
BULLS' DENG OUT
Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng is not going to play against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night because of tightness in his left calf.
Coach Tom Thibodeau said Deng has been dealing with the injury since the teams met in Detroit on Nov. 27, a 99-79 win. Chicago has lost six of eight.
Chicago's leading scorer, Deng is averaging 19.4 points per game and 26.2 over his last six.
The Bulls have won 14 straight regular-season home games against Detroit, and 19 of its last 20 overall.
They are 6-1 overall at home this season.
FAN TAKES TO THE COURT
A man found his way onto the court in the middle of the Cavaliers-Clippers game on Saturday night while allegedly wearing a shirt that read "Kyrie Don't Leave," according to Clippers broadcasters who described the commotion on the court.
He's shown wandering around the floor with about three minutes remaining before the half.
Once referees and arena security realized that there was a mysterious 11th man on the court, they quickly whisked him away.
Irving said the fan tapped him on the shoulder before he was led away.
"I was a little scared but it happened," Irving said. "I was running back in transition, trying to get my man. I was like, 'Who is this guy?' I was surprised, but security handled it."
Contributors: Jason O. Boyd, Kami Mattioli, The Associated Press
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