"Don't worry about me. I'm going to be all right," Wade said. "It feels a lot better today and I'm going to be good by Sunday.''
Only twice did Wade, wearing pads over both knees, dare drive to the basket on Dallas' defense. Instead, he hung around the perimeter and took aim from the outside.
Riley, who has been effusive in praising O'Neal despite the big man's un-Shaq-like numbers so far in the series, came to his defense again before the game. Dallas has devoted a cast of characters to try and stop O'Neal, who played in his 192nd career playoff game.
"If he's one on one against anybody, c'mon," Riley said. "He's either going to score or get fouled."
That was the case early on as O'Neal got fouled while scoring underneath for Miami's first points, and moments later, he grabbed a rebound and dunked viciously, early signs he might try to dominate.
But he was on the bench less than three minutes later after picking up his second personal foul on a questionable call while taking a charge against Nowitzki. The Heat, though, kept it together without their All-World center -- a trend that would continue all night.
Michael Jordan became part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats in a deal which gives him a stake in most of Robert Johnson's ventures.
Jordan's investment makes him second to only Johnson as the largest individual owner of the Bobcats. Johnson, who was awarded the NBA expansion Bobcats three years ago, then named Jordan the managing member of basketball operations.
"I'm thrilled to have my friend, Michael Jordan, join me in my business and sports pursuits," Johnson said in a statement. "I not only respect Michael for his basketball knowledge and expertise, but also for his business skills, particularly in branding and marketing.
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