The Heat will be without Shane Battier for an undetermined time with a sprained MCL. Teammate LeBron James first alerted the media to Battier’s status at a Monday session.

As LeBron let it slip today, don't be surprised if Shane Battier misses at least a week with sprained MCL.—
Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) November 26, 2012

LeBron's exact quote before he backtracked: "It's unfortunate to not have Shane (Battier) the next few games."—
Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) November 26, 2012

Battier was injured when teammate Udonis Haslem was knocked backwards into his knee while taking a charge from the Cavs’ Alonzo Gee.

Battier immediately grabbed his knee, left the game and did not return. He followed with a Twitter update:

Thanks for all the notes peeps, I will be alright. My knee got caught in a weird position as I got tangled up. Mild sprain. Be back in a few—
Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) November 25, 2012

Battier has been an effective passer, defender and three-point shooter, hitting 45.8 percent from behind the arc for the Heat. His absence could mean more playing time for Rashard Lewis, who has struggled in his first season in Miami.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra hinted at starting Chris Bosh for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, and will rest Lebron James and Dwyane Wade more. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday that he will be using a deeper rotation for Game 2 of the NBA Finals to heed the call of Lebron James’ need for more rest and will use Chris Bosh “more like we used him in the regular season,” according to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols.

After the teams loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, James said that Spoelstra needs to expect more from his bench to give him, Wade and Battier more rest, according to AP sports reporter Jeff Latzke:

We know we have to have more production for sure,” said James, who had never scored more than 25 points in his two previous finals appearances. “We have to have more guys in there to give me and D-Wade a rest, and Shane (Battier). Shane played a lot of minutes. But Spo will figure that out.”

James has been averaging nearly 43 minutes per game in the 2012 NBA playoffs, and over 45 minutes per game in five of the last seven playoff games.

James said following Wednesday’s practice that he needs more help from Wade also, according to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News:

Sometimes I go to him and tell him I need one of those games from him,’’ James said before the Heat’s practice. “He knows he still has it, too, but every player needs a little kick every now and then, no matter how time-tested they are. I continue to try to let him know how important he is to the team, which he should know, but he also needs to be D-Wade and not worry about deferring as much.

 

Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra hinting at a lineup change? Says Chris Bosh will be used "more like we used him in the regular season."—
Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 14, 2012