Deng likely to return from illness, Wade a game-time call

The Miami Heat appear to be passing around a bug.

Luol Deng is expected to return from a one-game absence due to illness on Friday when the team takes on the Indiana Pacers, but teammate Dwyane Wade may now be shelved with an illness of his own.

Deng played through the ailment Tuesday but didn't travel with the team Wednesday. Danny Granger started in his place, scoring three points in 20 minutes of action in a narrow loss.

Wade scored 17 points in the game but has since fallen under the weather. He missed shootaround Friday and is considered a game-time decision. Wade is averaging 21.8 points, four rebounds and 5.5 assists on the season, impressively seeing a minor spike in his offensive efficiency despite a much heavier workload.

And so continues the struggle for the Heat, who have tried to fight through a handful of injuries but find themselves at 18-24, with only a half-game grasp on an Eastern Conference playoff spot.