Tuesday NBA: Warriors (17-41) at Heat (29-31)

If the Miami Heat miss the playoffs this season, they can all but probably kiss Dwyane Wade goodbye as a free agent. Miami failed to acquire a big name before the trade deadline and is currently on a four-game losing streak and basically tied with Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the East.

Tonight’s game against Golden State is one of those must-win games because it’s a lousy opponent missing two of its starters. And the Heat are 10.5-point favorites on WagerWeb.com’s NBA odds.

Wade had missed four games with an injury but was back Sunday against Orlando. He clearly ran out of gas late in the game as Wade had 17 of his 21 points in the first half but hit only one of five shots from the field in the second half. Coach Erik Spoelstra said he didn’t want to play Wade 40 minutes like he did in that one, so Wade could be limited to 35 or so tonight.

Miami certainly needs more from former No. 2 overall pick Michael Beasley. He was 0-for-4 effort in 18 minutes at Orlando, just the second time in his career he went without making a shot. Beasley has shot 13 of 47 (27.6 percent) in the past four games.

Still, the Heat are such big favorites because Golden State has the second-fewest road wins in the league (four) and will be missing leading scorer Monta Ellis and starting center Andris Biedrins tonight due to injuries. That means the team will have just eight players in uniform for the 27th game this season. Warriors rookie guard Stephen Curry has averaged 24.6 points and 7.3 assists in his past three games. Golden State actually enters off a home win over Detroit but hasn’t won back-to-back games in nearly two months.

The Heat are trying to sweep the Warriors for the second consecutive season after winning 115-102 on Jan. 13 in Oakland. Wade had 35 in that one, hitting 10-for-15 from the field.

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