Heat's Dewayne Dedmon plans to play in Game 5

After being a late scratch for Game 4 due to a non-coronavirus illness, Heat reserve center Dewayne Dedmon has been listed as available for tonight’s critical Game 5 at home against the Sixers, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link). Backup Miami big man Markieff Morris was dusted off to replace Dedmon in Game 4, a 116-108 Heat loss.

Several players previously listed as questionable with a variety of ailments have all been given the green light for tonight’s contest, Winderman notes. Gabe Vincent, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Max Strus and P.J. Tucker are all expected to suit up. Everyone aside from Martin is a rotation player for Miami, though the fact that all were questionable certainly could be cause for concern among Heat fans.

The series is currently knotted at 2-2. Miami needs all the help at center that it can get, so the return of Dedmon is a welcome one. After missing Games 1 and 2 due to an orbital fracture and concussion, Sixers All-Star big man Joel Embiid returned with a vengeance, leading the club with outstanding two-way play for consecutive victories in Games 3 and 4.

The 32-year-old veteran seven-footer out of USC is in his second season with Miami. Dedmon has been used in a reduced role this postseason. He is averaging 3.7 PPG and 2.7 RPG across three his healthy playoff contests in the series.