MIAMI … (AP) … The Miami Heat do not expect to play point guard Jason Williams in the final eight games of the regular season, so he can rest his sore right knee.

 

Williams has been bothered by tendinitis in the knee for much of the season. In his place, Gary Payton is expected to start at point guard for the Heat, who are trying to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

 

Heat coach Pat Riley said Wednesday that surgery is not an immediate option, but cautioned that it may be needed in the

offseason. Riley said he was confident the rest will allow Williams to return for the first round of the playoffs.

 

 

 

I think having Payton gives us this luxury for Williams to rest up for the second season

Gary is good enough to start so this is ok.

Solid move. Riles has definitely learned from last year that a healthy roster in the playoffs supercedes any regular season worries.

you may see wade play the point and rember beside payton Derek Anderson but I am sure Williams will be back for the post season

I was hoping this would be done. GP is a reliable fill in for the time being.

As soon as we clinch the 2 spot, I would like to see Riles rest most of our players and give more burn to Dorrell Wright, Earl Barron and brother Wayne.

My concern is this team is going to be completely out of sync come playoff time. That's fine in the first round, but it may not be good enough in the 2nd.

Isnt this bad news because Jason Williams can be either well rested or he will be cold from the field because he has not experienced a game before the postseason?

good thinking...save williams for the playoffs .put payton in there..i can't wait to play the pistons in the playoffs again...