Chris Bosh: Miami Heat Star Will Return to Team Tonight vs. New Jersey Nets

After missing three games due to the death of his grandmother, Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh will return to the team to face the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

The Heat, who had been rolling prior to Bosh's leave of absence, beat the Portland Trail Blazers without him, but have since lost consecutive games to the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers. Although Bosh is often overshadowed by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, his importance to the team has been clear over the past couple of games.

Bosh was selected to the All-Star team this season and for good reason, as he is averaging 18.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest despite playing third fiddle to James and Wade. Without Bosh, the Heat didn't have a post presence that was capable of going blow for blow with the likes of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

Miami now trails the Chicago Bulls by 2.5 games for first place in the Eastern Conference after only its second losing streak of any kind this season. Bosh's return will certainly bode well for the Heat's chances against the scuffling Nets, although point guard Deron Williams is coming off a 57-point effort against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Despite all of the star power that Miami has, Bosh will be welcomed back to the lineup with open arms, as it is quite clear that the Heat are a much shallower team without him.