Heat open home-and-home set with Bobcats

Miami has won three straight and is three games ahead of the Washington Wizards in the division. In Friday’s 88-85 win over the Boston Celtics, Shaquille O’Neal poured in 22 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Heat, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Udonis Haslem had 17 points and nine boards, as playoff-bound Miami won for the fourth time in five games.

The Heat are back at home where they are 25-12 this season. In injury news for Miami, All-Star guard Dwyane Wade is reportedly close to a return, although it may be in a role with which he’s quite unfamiliar.

According to a story in the Miami Herald, Wade traveled with the team this week for the first time since dislocating his left shoulder in late February, and has been increasing his workout regimen in recent days.

He could see action next week, but would likely serve as the sixth man initially as he gets eased back into the rotation.

Meanwhile, the Bobcats had a two-game winning streak come to an end with Friday’s 112-102 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Gerald Wallace poured in 29 points and grabbed nine boards for Charlotte, which had won two in a row and four of five games coming in. Walter Herrmann added 15 points and Emeka Okafor had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Bobcats, who are 5 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the East.

On the injury front for Charlotte, rookie forward Adam Morrison (knee) is questionable against Miami.

Sunday’s game between the Heat and Bobcats is the third of four meetings this season. Miami has won the first two matchups in the series, seven straight and nine of the 10 all-time meetings.

Both teams will meet again on April 10 in Charlotte. Miami has won three straight and four of the five encounters at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.