'Uphill battle' for Miami Heat's James Jones

Heat forward James Jones said this season continues to be a ``constant uphill battle.''

Jones missed Saturday's game against Philadelphia with a bruised right hand and is questionable for Sunday's game in Orlando. He said he cannot shoot, dribble or grip a basketball, and that he would need at least one practice before playing.

If Jones is unable to play Sunday, his status would be in doubt for Tuesday's game against Detroit, because Miami is expected to be off Monday after back-to-back games.

Jones' hand still is swollen but he said it has gone down significantly since he injured it in a collision with Mike Miller during the third quarter of Wednesday's 111-104 loss to Minnesota.

''That's the closest I've come to crying in a long time,'' Jones said.

The bigger issue is when Miami's biggest free agent acquisition of last offseason will return to form. He was sidelined for three months after surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his right wrist and has struggled in 16 games. He is shooting 30.8 percent from the field and 21.9 percent from beyond the arc.

''The goal is to have me ready for the postseason and for me to be able to contribute in a major way as the season comes to a close,'' said Jones, who added that his wrist still is regaining flexibility and needs six months to be ``completely healed.''

''It's growing pains; it's conditioning my wrist to work again,'' Jones said. ``Today it feels good, and tomorrow it's sore.''

(miamiherald.com)