Miami
Heat

News: Cook, who missed Wednesday's loss to the Nuggets with a bruised left knee, may return to the lineup Friday against the Kings, the Miami Sun-Sentinel reports.
Impact: Cook was on a tear from beyond the arc before sustaining the knee injury, drilling 39 threes in 11 games. Look for him to slide back into his usual role as the Heat's long-range threat as soon as he returns.

News: Jones (wrist) practiced with the team Thursday night and may be in the lineup for Friday's game against the Kings, Miami Sun-Sentinel reports.
Impact: The Heat signed Jones as a free agent this past offseason, but he has yet to play in a game after undergoing wrist surgery in October. He will probably be eased into the lineup, so don't expect too much production right off the bat, but he could be a solid source of threes down the road.

News: Marion posted a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds on Wednesday in a 108-97 loss to Denver.
Impact: Marion averaged just 9.5 points and 7.5 boards in his previous two games.

News: Marion posted a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds on Wednesday in a 108-97 loss to Denver.
Impact: Marion averaged just 9.5 points and 7.5 boards in his previous two games.

News: The Heat have released Livingston.
Impact: His contract would have become guaranteed on Jan. 10, so the Heat avoid having to pay his salary for the rest of the 2008-09 season. Livingston will likely catch on with another club as he attempts to work his way back from a brutal knee injury.

News: Cook missed Miami's game at Denver on Wednesday after playing only 5 minutes in Monday's 91-84 loss to San Antonio because of a bruised left knee. He could return Friday at Sacramento.
Impact: X-rays were negative for Cook, the NBA's fifth-best 3-point shooter over the last month - 53.4 percent. The second-year player has averaged 10.1 points and hit a team-leading 75 3-pointers, going 75-for-176 (42.6 percent) from behind the arc.

News: Cook missed Miami's game at Denver on Wednesday after playing only 5 minutes in Monday's 91-84 loss to San Antonio because of a bruised left knee. He could return Friday at Sacramento.
Impact: X-rays were negative for Cook, the NBA's fifth-best 3-point shooter over the last month - 53.4 percent. The second-year player has averaged 10.1 points and hit a team-leading 75 3-pointers, going 75-for-176 (42.6 percent) from behind the arc.

News: Marion (back) returned to action Monday, scoring 15 points with seven boards and four assists.
Impact: Marion missed Saturday's game with back spasms. He entered the night averaging just 11.5 points per game - the lowest since his rookie season.

News: Beasley scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds during the Heat's loss Monday.
Impact: It was Beasley's first career double-double. It's nice to see him productive even with Shawn Marion (back) back in the lineup.

News: Jones (wrist) will travel with the team on its upcoming seven-game trip, and he is expected to practice or at least participate in contact drills and some five-on-five work, the Miami Herald reports.
Impact: ''If you just came in and saw all of our noncontact drills you would think he is ready to go right now, which he is except the contact and the strength and the pulling and grabbing,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Saturday. ``We're going to ease him into that as his wrist gets 100 percent healthy.''

News: Cook started in place of the injured Shawn Marion (back spasms) Saturday night in Miami's victory over New Jersey.
Impact: Cook had 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including three 3-pointers, with three rebounds and an assist in 38 minutes. When not filling in for injured starters, Cook is highly productive bench player, who averages double-digits in points and makes 2.3 3-pointers per game.

News: Beasley scored 17 points (7-for-12 FG, only 3-for-6 FT) with seven boards, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot in 41 minutes off the bench Saturday night.
Impact: This was Bealsey's first good game after several poor ones. In this game he outproduced his numbers from the previous two games combined (16 total points, eight total boards, 0 total assists/steals/blocks), a positive sign for those still looking for him to produce strong numbers as a rookie.

News: Despite shooting 8-for-23, Wade scored 29 points to help the Heat overcome a 16-point deficit in Saturday's 101-96 overtime victory over visiting New Jersey.
Impact: The NBA's leading scorer at 28.8 points per game, Wade has scored 21 or more in eight straight games, averaging 31.3 points.

News: Despite shooting 8-for-23, Wade scored 29 points to help the Heat overcome a 16-point deficit in Saturday's 101-96 overtime victory over visiting New Jersey.
Impact: The NBA's leading scorer at 28.8 points per game, Wade has scored 21 or more in eight straight games, averaging 31.3 points.

News: Marion was a late scratch before Saturday's game against the Nets because of back spasms, a team spokesman said, the Miami Herald reports.
Impact: Marion missed his fourth game of the season and was replaced in the starting lineup with Daequan Cook.

News: After missing Saturday's game because of back spasms, Marion returned Monday in a 91-84 loss to San Antonio. He played 36:33, scored 15 points and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.
Impact: In his first full season with the Heat after coming over from Phoenix, Marion is averaging 11.5 points and a team-leading 9.2 rebounds.

News: After missing Saturday's game because of back spasms, Marion returned Monday in a 91-84 loss to San Antonio. He played 36:33, scored 15 points and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.
Impact: In his first full season with the Heat after coming over from Phoenix, Marion is averaging 11.5 points and a team-leading 9.2 rebounds.

News: Coming off one of his worst shooting performances of the season, Wade tied a season high with 16 field goals in an 86-76 loss Friday at Orlando, finishing 16-of-29 for a team-leading 33 points. Wade went 7-for-23 in Tuesday's win over Cleveland.
Impact: Shooting well or not, Wade has kept scoring with 20 or more points in seven straight games. The Heat guard, who leads the league with 28.7 points per game, has scored 31.0 points in that span.

News: Coming off one of his worst shooting performances of the season, Wade tied a season high with 16 field goals in an 86-76 loss Friday at Orlando, finishing 16-of-29 for a team-leading 33 points. Wade went 7-for-23 in Tuesday's win over Cleveland.
Impact: Shooting well or not, Wade has kept scoring with 20 or more points in seven straight games. The Heat guard, who leads the league with 28.7 points per game, has scored 31.0 points in that span.

News: Cook finished with 17 points on 5-9 shooting, in 26 minutes in a 104-95 win over Cleveland Tuesday.
Impact: Cook connected on 5-7 three-pointers Tuesday, and continues his assault from behind the arc. Cook has drained 34 three-pointers over his last nine games, so if you need three-pointers Cook would be a solid option.

News: Chalmers (hamstring) finished with 21 points on 7-9 shooting, eight assists, three rebounds, and three steals in 40 minutes in a 104-95 win over Cleveland Tuesday.
Impact: Chalmers also drained 6-7 three-pointers Tuesday, which was a season-high. Chalmers has not played less than 34 minutes over his last eight games as he continues his excellent rookie season.

News: Chalmers had his best shooting night as a pro, going 7-of-9 from the field and 6-for-7 from 3-point range in a 104-95 win Tuesday over Cleveland. The Heat rookie guard tied Dwyane Wade for the team lead with 21 points, two shy of Chalmers' career high.
Impact: It was just the second time Chalmers has reached double figures in the past five games, but he has averaged 11.4 points in that time - more than a point higher than his season average of 10.3.

News: Chalmers had his best shooting night as a pro, going 7-of-9 from the field and 6-for-7 from 3-point range in a 104-95 win Tuesday over Cleveland. The Heat rookie guard tied Dwyane Wade for the team lead with 21 points, two shy of Chalmers' career high.
Impact: It was just the second time Chalmers has reached double figures in the past five games, but he has averaged 11.4 points in that time - more than a point higher than his season average of 10.3.

News: Wade had his sixth double-double of the season to lead the Heat to a 104-95 victory over Cleveland on Tuesday. The Heat guard finished tied for the team lead with 21 points and also had 12 assists.
Impact: Wade, the league's leading scorer, has scored 20 or more points in six straight games. He has averaged 28.9 points this season and 31.3 in the past six contests.

News: Wade had his sixth double-double of the season to lead the Heat to a 104-95 victory over Cleveland on Tuesday. The Heat guard finished tied for the team lead with 21 points and also had 12 assists.
Impact: Wade, the league's leading scorer, has scored 20 or more points in six straight games. He has averaged 28.9 points this season and 31.3 in the past six contests.

News: Wade came through with 21 points, five rebounds, 12 assists and three steals during the Heat's win over the Cavs on Tuesday.
Impact: Wade went just 7-of-23 from the field, but it's hard not to appreciate the rest of his line. Only health can derail his dominant fantasy season.

News: Chalmers received treatment for the strained right hamstring he sustained late in Sunday's loss at Cleveland, the Miami Herald reports.
Impact: Chalmers, who has started every game at point guard this season, said he expected to play Tuesday. If come some reason Chalmers is unable to play, expect Daequan Cook and Chris Quinn to see more playing time.

News: Wade had 29 points on 12-for-25 shooting in the Heat's loss to the Cavs on Sunday.
Impact: Averaging a league-leading 28.9 points per game on the season, Wade is averaging 33.4 in his last five games.

News: Wade had 29 points on 12-for-25 shooting in the Heat's loss to the Cavs on Sunday.
Impact: Averaging a league-leading 28.9 points per game on the season, Wade is averaging 33.4 in his last five games.

News: Beasley scored eight of his 14 in the fourth quarter, and the Heat eclipsed last season's win total by dominating the second half and beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 90-77 on Friday.
Impact: Beasley - the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, after the Bulls chose Derrick Rose - has scored in double figures four times in his last six games. In that span, he is averaging 11.5 points on 45.0 percent shooting while the Heat have gone 4-2.

News: Beasley scored eight of his 14 in the fourth quarter, and the Heat eclipsed last season's win total by dominating the second half and beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 90-77 on Friday.
Impact: Beasley - the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, after the Bulls chose Derrick Rose - has scored in double figures four times in his last six games. In that span, he is averaging 11.5 points on 45.0 percent shooting while the Heat have gone 4-2.

News: Chalmers had 16 points, five rebounds and six assists, and the Heat eclipsed last season's win total by dominating the second half and beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 90-77 on Friday.
Impact: Chalmers, who had combined for 15 points in his previous two games, shot 66.7 percent (6-for-9) from the field. The rookie is averaging 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season.

News: Chalmers had 16 points, five rebounds and six assists, and the Heat eclipsed last season's win total by dominating the second half and beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 90-77 on Friday.
Impact: Chalmers, who had combined for 15 points in his previous two games, shot 66.7 percent (6-for-9) from the field. The rookie is averaging 10.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season.

News: Wade scored 28 points, and the Heat eclipsed last season's win total by dominating the second half and beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 90-77 on Friday.
Impact: Wade, who is averaging 28.9 points on 48.8 percent shooting overall his season, shot 47.8 percent (11-for-23) from the field, and went 5-for-9 from the free-throw line. He has scored 34.5 points per contest while shooting 52.6 percent from the field during the Heat's four-game winning streak.

News: Wade scored 28 points, and the Heat eclipsed last season's win total by dominating the second half and beating the visiting Chicago Bulls 90-77 on Friday.
Impact: Wade, who is averaging 28.9 points on 48.8 percent shooting overall his season, shot 47.8 percent (11-for-23) from the field, and went 5-for-9 from the free-throw line. He has scored 34.5 points per contest while shooting 52.6 percent from the field during the Heat's four-game winning streak.

News: Anthony had four points, five rebounds and four blocked shots in 26 minutes Friday night in the Heat's victory over the Bulls.
Impact: The Heat are 9-4 since Anthony was inserted into the starting lineup late in November. He's not going to do much as a scorer, but provides help in the blocks category. Anthony is averaging 2.0 blocks per game as a starter.

News: Wade flirted with a triple-double Tuesday, scoring 32 points with eight rebounds and eight assists in the Heat's win over the Warriors.
Impact: Wade hit 13-of-25 shots from the field, also adding three steals and three blocks in yet another stellar performance. It's tough finding a more valuable fantasy player than Wade these days.

News: Marion had nine points and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds in a 96-88 win over Golden State on Tuesday.
Impact: Marion has 11 or more rebounds in five of his last 10 games but has six or fewer boards in four games during this stretch.

News: Marion had nine points and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds in a 96-88 win over Golden State on Tuesday.
Impact: Marion has 11 or more rebounds in five of his last 10 games but has six or fewer boards in four games during this stretch.

News: Cook hit 5-of-7 from 3-point range and scored a season-high 20 points in a 96-88 win over the Warriors on Tuesday.
Impact: Cook is averaging 17.0 points and hitting 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from long distance during Miami's three-game winning streak.

News: Cook hit 5-of-7 from 3-point range and scored a season-high 20 points in a 96-88 win over the Warriors on Tuesday.
Impact: Cook is averaging 17.0 points and hitting 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from long distance during Miami's three-game winning streak.

News: Wade had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a 96-88 win over Golden State on Tuesday.
Impact: Wade is averaging 36.7 points and shooting 54.2 percent during the Heat's three-game winnng streak.

News: Wade had 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a 96-88 win over Golden State on Tuesday.
Impact: Wade is averaging 36.7 points and shooting 54.2 percent during the Heat's three-game winnng streak.

News: One night after scoring 35 points to help the Heat beat the Lakers, Wade matched his season high with 43 points to lead Miami to a 106-103 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night.
Impact: "That's just basketball," said Wade, who is averaging 28.8 points on 48.7 percent shooting this season. "Sometimes you are going to struggle. Sometimes you are going to be in the zone. You just have to stick with it." Wade, the NBA's leading scorer, scored 12 of the Heat's final 14 points. It was 15th time Wade scored 40 or more points in his career. The Heat improved to 9-3 this season in game in which Wade gets at least 30.

News: One night after scoring 35 points to help the Heat beat the Lakers, Wade matched his season high with 43 points to lead Miami to a 106-103 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night.
Impact: "That's just basketball," said Wade, who is averaging 28.8 points on 48.7 percent shooting this season. "Sometimes you are going to struggle. Sometimes you are going to be in the zone. You just have to stick with it." Wade, the NBA's leading scorer, scored 12 of the Heat's final 14 points. It was 15th time Wade scored 40 or more points in his career. The Heat improved to 9-3 this season in game in which Wade gets at least 30.

News: Cook finished with 17 points on 5-10 shooting in 27 minutes in a 106-103 win over New Jersey Saturday.
Impact: Cook connected on four three-pointers for the third straight game and has shot a blistering 18-32 from downtown over the last five games. Expect Cook to continue to see solid playing time off the bench for Miami.

News: Wade scored 43 points on 13-22 shooting, five assists, and four rebounds in 38 minutes in a 106-103 win over New Jersey.
Impact: The 43 points for Wade matched a season-high and has gotten right back on track after struggling for a few games. Wade also connected on 16-18 free throws and again carried Miami to a win.

News: Cook finished with 14 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench in a 89-87 win over the Lakers Friday.
Impact: Cook had a battle with the flu this week, but showed no effects of it Friday. Cook connected on 4-6 three-pointers and has at least three 3-pointers in his last four games.

News: Chalmers finished with 10 points, four assists, and three rebounds in a career-high 40 minutes in a 89-87 win over the Lakers Friday.
Impact: Chalmers' 40 minutes were also a team-high Friday and he has played no less than 28 minutes over his last seven games. Chalmers has also scored in double-figures in 9 of his last ten games as he continues his impressive rookie season.

News: Marion finished with 12 points on 5-9 shooting, and 11 rebounds in a 89-87 win over the Lakers.
Impact: Marion has scored in double-digits in 7-8 of his last eight games and seems to have gotten on track a bit more offensively. Expect Marion to continue his solid play throughout the season.

News: Wade finished with 35 points on 13-25 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals in a 89-87 win over the Lakers Friday.
Impact: After struggling the last few games, Wade got right back on track and led Miami to an impressive win over Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Expect Wade to continue playing at this high level all season.

News: Wade had 35 points on 13-of-25 shooting in Miami's 89-87 win over the Lakers on Friday.
Impact: Wade broke out of his little slump on Friday after averaging 17.1 points on 33.9 percent shooting during Miami's three-game losing streak.

News: Wade had 35 points on 13-of-25 shooting in Miami's 89-87 win over the Lakers on Friday.
Impact: Wade broke out of his little slump on Friday after averaging 17.1 points on 33.9 percent shooting during Miami's three-game losing streak.

News: Cook returned to practice Thursday, a day after being sent home with the flu, the Miami Herald reports.
Impact: Expect Cook to be ready to go Friday against the Lakers and should see solid playing time off the bench.

News: Cook finished with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting and three rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench in a 98-83 loss to Milwaukee Monday.
Impact: Cook drained four three-pointers in the loss and has shot an impressive 10-21 from behind the arc over his last three games. Expect Cook to continue to see consistent playing time off the bench, as he is Miami's best three-point shooter.

News: Wade was held to just 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, eight assists, and six rebounds in 41 minutes in a 98-83 loss to Milwaukee Monday.
Impact: This is the third straight game where Wade has shot poorly from the field, and it is no coincidence that Miami has lost all three of those games. Consider this just a bump in the road for Wade and expect him to get back on track.

News: Chalmers scored 20 points for the host Heat in their 98-83 loss to Milwaukee on Monday night.
Impact: Chalmers topped the 20-point mark for just the second time this season, as it scored 23 points in a Nov. 24 loss to Houston. He shot 61.5 percent (8-for-13) from the field, one day after he was held to eight points on 3-of-8 shooting in a loss at Memphis. The rookie point guard is averaging 10.1 points on 44.4 percent shooting.

News: Chalmers scored 20 points for the host Heat in their 98-83 loss to Milwaukee on Monday night.
Impact: Chalmers topped the 20-point mark for just the second time this season, as it scored 23 points in a Nov. 24 loss to Houston. He shot 61.5 percent (8-for-13) from the field, one day after he was held to eight points on 3-of-8 shooting in a loss at Memphis. The rookie point guard is averaging 10.1 points on 44.4 percent shooting.

News: Chalmers came through with 20 points (8-of-13 FG), seven boards and eight assists during the Heat's loss Monday.
Impact: Chalmers also committed five turnovers, but he added one steal and three 3-pointers as well, so it's hard to find fault with Monday's performance. His future certainly looks bright.

News: Wade was held to 17 points and 5-for-16 shooting in the Heat's 102-86 loss to Memphis on Sunday.
Impact: After averaging 34.8 points and shooting 50.5 percent during Miami's four-game win streak to start the month, the NBA's leading scorer has been held to 19.0 points and shot 35.0 percent (14-for-40) in back-to-back defeats.

News: Wade was held to 17 points and 5-for-16 shooting in the Heat's 102-86 loss to Memphis on Sunday.
Impact: After averaging 34.8 points and shooting 50.5 percent during Miami's four-game win streak to start the month, the NBA's leading scorer has been held to 19.0 points and shot 35.0 percent (14-for-40) in back-to-back defeats.

News: After missing the Heat's previous game with the flu, Beasley returned and scored 20 points with eight rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench in a 102-86 loss to Memphis on Sunday.
Impact: Beasley, who's seen his minutes decrease after starting his first 15 games as a rookie, had averaged only 9.0 points over his previous three games. "I'm still trying to find my mojo," he said Sunday. "I'm trying to get my (swagger) back."

News: After missing the Heat's previous game with the flu, Beasley returned and scored 20 points with eight rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench in a 102-86 loss to Memphis on Sunday.
Impact: Beasley, who's seen his minutes decrease after starting his first 15 games as a rookie, had averaged only 9.0 points over his previous three games. "I'm still trying to find my mojo," he said Sunday. "I'm trying to get my (swagger) back."

News: Beasley (illness) returned to action Sunday and finished with 20 points on 8-17 shooting, and eight rebounds in a 102-86 loss to Memphis.
Impact: Beasley returned to action Sunday after missing Friday's game against Atlanta due to flu-like symptoms and fell just short of a double-double. Expect Beasley to continue to come off the bench as Miami has been starting Joel Anthony at center.

News: Haslem, who attended the funeral of a family member on Saturday, was not with the Heat on Sunday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Impact: Shawn Marion shifted to power forward in Sunday's game against the Grizzlies while Yakhouba Diawara starting at small forward. Haslem is expected to be back Monday at home against Milwaukee.

News: Anthony had 12 points (5-of-5 FG), 13 rebounds and five blocks in 35 minutes Sunday in the Heat's loss to the Grizzlies.
Impact: Anthony has now started eight straight games, but has done nothing like this any of the other starts. He hasn't posted double-digit anything in the previous seven games, so don't get too enamored. If you're desperate for blocks, Anthony is averaging 1.5 on the season and over two per game as a starter.

News: Jones, who continues to make progress in his rehabilitation from wrist surgery, participated in a 90-minute light workout on Saturday, the Miami Herald reports.
Impact: He might begin scrimmaging within the next two weeks, barring a setback. Coach Erik Spoelstra said Jones, who has yet to play this season, responded well in some aggressive drills against the coaching staff. ''He went through the whole thing,'' Spoelstra said. ``Our coaches were reaching and slapping and holding and grabbing, and he looked fine.''

News: Haslem missed practice to attend his grandmother's funeral Saturday and was not expected to make the team's post-practice flight to Memphis, the Miami Herald reports.
Impact: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Haslem might take a later flight to Memphis and arrive for the start of Sunday's 4 p.m. game against the Grizzlies. If Haslem is unable to make Sunday's game, expect Joel Anthony and Jamaal Magloire to see the bulk of minutes at center for Miami.

News: Beasley (illness) missed practice Saturday and is questionable for Sunday's game at Memphis, the Miami Herald reports.
Impact: Beasley has been away from the team with a virus since Thursday, but he did travel with the team to Memphis. If Beaasley is unable to play, expect Yakhouba Diawara to see more playing time off the bench at forward.

News: Magloire (elbow) played 13 minutes Friday night in Miami's loss to Atlanta.
Impact: Magloire needed eight stitches in his right elbow earlier this week. He had three points, five rebounds and an assist in Friday's loss to the Hawks. Since making his season debut following his recovery from a fractured hand a couple of weeks ago, Magloire has played scant minutes off the Heat's bench.

News: Wade finished with 21 points on 9-24 shooting, eight rebounds, and three assists in 35 minutes in a 87-73 loss to Atlanta Friday night.
Impact: Wade had a tough night from the field Friday and only took six free throws. Friday was a bad night offensively not just for Wade, but for Miami in general so expect Wade to get back on track Sunday against Memphis.

News: Chalmers finished with 14 points on 6-14 shooting, and two steals in 27 minutes in a 87-73 loss to Atlanta Friday night.
Impact: Chalmers was held without an assist for the first time this season and committed four fouls in the loss. Chalmers does continue to score and has improved his shooting from three-point range.

News: Beasley has been ruled out of the Miami Heat's game against the Atlanta Hawks with flulike symptoms.
Impact: Friday night's game was the first Beasley has missed this season. The No. 2 pick in this year's draft has been Miami's second-leading scorer behind Dwyane Wade so far, averaging 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds on 45 percent shooting. Beasley's status for Miami's next game, at Memphis on Sunday, is unknown.

News: Beasley has been ruled out of the Miami Heat's game against the Atlanta Hawks with flulike symptoms.
Impact: Friday night's game was the first Beasley has missed this season. The No. 2 pick in this year's draft has been Miami's second-leading scorer behind Dwyane Wade so far, averaging 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds on 45 percent shooting. Beasley's status for Miami's next game, at Memphis on Sunday, is unknown.

News: Beasley will not play Friday due to flu-like symptoms, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: Miami's next game is at Memphis on Sunday, and it's not clear whether Beasley will be available at that time.