Heat's Bosh hoping to return for Christmas clash vs. Cavaliers

The Miami Heat could be treated to a much-needed Christmas present. 

Star power forward Chris Bosh is hopeful of returning to Miami's lineup for a Dec. 25 clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bosh missed his fifth straight game Sunday with a left calf strain. 

"I’m hoping so, but I don’t know," Bosh said, according to Jason Lieser of The Palm Beach Post. "I've been saying that and they're like, 'OK, take it easy. Just work today.' Health is the priority. I'm keeping the bigger picture, even though it's getting smaller, in mind."

Miami has gone 1-3 without the nine-time All-Star, who is averaging 21.6 points and 8.2 rebounds through 23 games. Bosh has made major progress in recent days but has been unable to run, which puts him in jeopardy of missing Miami's next contest.

The Heat play once before Christmas - a very winnable game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday that Miami is unlikely to rush Bosh back for. 

Adding more doubt to his availability for Tuesday, the 12-year veteran cautioned that it could take him upwards of a month to return in a worst-case scenario. 

It sounds like Miami's training staff is making sure one of its star players doesn't rush back to the court.

"I don't think in my position it'll be that long, but it could be," he said.

A Christmas Day return for Bosh would add even more significance to the game. It will mark the first time LeBron James returns to Miami since leaving for the Cavaliers as a free agent in the offseason.