The Heat isn't expecting to have swingman Mike Miller back in the very near future.

Miller has been out since the preseason with a thumb injury.

"Whenever he's cleared for contact, he'll need to get into game condition and speed and tempo of the competition," coach Erik Spoelstra said.

"So I think he's still a ways away before he could actually take some contact on it. But if you saw him working out, you would think, and he would tell you, that he's ready to go. But he's not yet."

Miller has spoken of a Dec. 25 return for the road game against the Lakers, with the Heat looking at a January return.