MIAMI — Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas returned to the Cavaliers' starting lineup in Miami on Sunday for the first time since his wife went into early labor and lost twin babies.
Ilgauskas missed four games, a stretch that began before the All-Star break in Utah.
His wife, Jennifer, began having problems after Cleveland played the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 11. She was about five months pregnant at the time and delivered a stillborn boy and girl on Feb. 14, Ilgauskas said.
"Neither one of them survived, so obviously I just had to take some time for myself to take care of things," Ilgauskas said softly before the Cavaliers played the Heat on Sunday.
He added that this was the toughest thing he's ever experienced. "It puts life in perspective," he said.
JOHNSON REMEMBERED: Former NBA players remembered Dennis Johnson for his athletic ability and his infectious smile Sunday during a memorial service where there was far more laughter than tears.
"In my lifetime I have never met such a dynamic person," former Boston Celtics teammate Cedric Maxwell told the crowd of nearly 200 people gathered in the David Chapel Baptist Church. "He was one of the greatest players of all time."
Johnson, who was part of three NBA championship teams with Boston and Seattle, died Thursday after collapsing following practice with the Austin Toros, the NBA Development League team he coached. He was 52.
WADE SEEKS SECOND OPINION: Heat guard Dwyane Wade will seek a second opinion early this week before deciding whether to rehabilitate his dislocated left shoulder or have season-ending surgery to repair the joint.
"The sooner the better," Miami coach and president Pat Riley said Sunday before the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 86-81, only their second win in nine games without Wade this season.
If Wade chooses the rehab option, he could return to Miami's lineup in about six weeks, or with around 10 regular-season games remaining. He was presented with his recovery options Thursday, one day after suffering the injury in a collision with Houston's Shane Battier, but has not announced a decision.
ARTEST SITS OUT: Sacramento forward Ron Artest missed the Kings' game Sunday night against the Indiana Pacers, his former team. Artest was not with the team for personal reasons, a team spokesman said without elaborating. Artest was not listed on the injury report.
LEE OUT FOR KEY GAME: Knicks leading rebounder David Lee sat out New York's crucial game Sunday night against the New Jersey Nets with a sprained right ankle and muscle strain. The 6-foot-9 reserve forward was placed on the inactive list after he hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Knicks' 95-93 win over Milwaukee on Friday night. He left the game with 10 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes.