Dwyane Wade Stopped Resting So He Could Destroy the Bobcats in Game One

Sunday's postseason opener answered one of the few questions some had about this Miami Heat team. Yes, Dwyane Wade is OK. And yes, he was taking names of everyone slandering him as he rested this season. Wade shot 10-16 for 23 points in 34 minutes, helping the Heat turn a...

By Ryan Yousefi

April 21, 2014

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Sunday's postseason opener answered one of the few questions some had about this Miami Heat team. Yes, Dwyane Wade is OK. And yes, he was taking names of everyone slandering him as he rested this season. Wade shot 10-16 for 23 points in 34 minutes, helping the Heat turn a tight first half into a comfortable 99-88 win.

After playing only 53 games this season, including just six in the past month, there was a bit of a question about how fast LeBron and Wade would hit their familiar playoff speed.

The answer: about two quarters.

LeBron scored 27 of his own, and the duo seemed to put it all together after a Bobcats second-half run had turned a seven-point halftime lead into a early third-quarter deficit.

Even though Dwyane Wade shot a career-high 54 percent from the field this season, many continue to attempt to prematurely retire him just because he doesn't go full throttle all season long anymore.

The maintenance program seems to be right on schedule, with Wade saying he feels the best he has all year and looking good heading into what he calls "the real season." It looks like if anyone is going to challenge Miami's throne, they'll have to deal with a healthy Dwyane Wade.

Wade and James still the best duo pic.twitter.com/0cYwDoe2T8
— ⚡️ JOHNNYY ⚡️ (@Yeezy305) April 20, 2014

Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat take Game 1 with a 99-88 win over the Bobcats! pic.twitter.com/nZdiO347XR
— NBA Pictures™ (@NBAPICTURES1) April 20, 2014

Y'all ain't hip.... D Wade been rope a dopin the entire league all season
— Titus O'HEEL (@THE_TeddyP) April 20, 2014

LEBRON on if Wade "looked right": "Can't get no righter. He was in attack mode and got to the rim."
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) April 20, 2014

Lebron and Wade combined for 50 points! 18/32 field goal made! #letsgoheat #sweptthecats
— Adrian Tham (@ATCC_LOVE_IU) April 20, 2014

A healthy @DwyaneWade showed some flash in the @MiamiHEAT's win Sunday, writes @langwhitaker: http://t.co/jN1srR4752 pic.twitter.com/kP2sAOXyQr
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) April 21, 2014

"@H3atNation_: Dwyane Wade with the sick crossover https://t.co/hh3jkT6eWa"nigga to raw
— james (@Therealdream1) April 20, 2014

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Ryan Yousefi, a sports journalist and MBA holder in business healthcare management, has been a dedicated weekly contributor to the Miami New Times since 2013. Beyond his sports journalism career, he's held leadership roles in web3 gaming companies. He enjoys southeast Asia travel, pho, and whiskey, but most of all, being Lincoln's dad.

Contact: Ryan Yousefi

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