Mike Miller expects to return to action with the Heat on Dec. 25.

Miller is still recovering from Oct. 22 surgery to repair a fracture and ligament damage on the thumb of his right shooting hand.

He sustained the injury on Oct. 20 when his hand got caught in the jersey of teammate LeBron James during a defensive drill in practice.

"It's definitely getting better, but it's still sore," Miller said. "My goal is to get out there a little quicker than we thought. I'm looking to be out there ready to go when we play the Lakers."

The Heat originally expected Miller to unavailable until sometime in January.