SAN FRANCISCOâ€"
It has been less than a week now since the Atlanta Hawks knocked the Miami Heat on their heels by springing a zone defense in last Monday's game at AmericanAirlines Arena, a game that remains the Heat's lone loss of the season.Now, the Heat find themselves in somewhat of a zone against the zone, be it what the Indiana Pacers tried to do in the game following that Heat loss to the Hawks, what Atlanta tried to do in Thursday's rematch or even the New Jersey Nets' futile attempts Saturday, with all three games producing Heat victories.
"Our comfort level has already grown," said coach Erik Spoelstra, who gave his team Sunday off after a late-night cross-country flight from New Jersey before Monday's return to the practice court at the University of San Francisco. "We like now to see zone. We want to see zone. We want to get better at it."We'll see it quite a bit."
Where there previously was trepidation, there now is execution.
"Where we've come now in a week with it, just with our temperament, psychology with it, we're much more comfortable. You don't see an anxiety out there.
"We know where the ball is going. We've dedicated more time with it. We'll see it more and we'll continue to execute better and better as soon as we see it."
While there wasn't much work on it during training camp, there have been regular tutorials since the Boston Celtics sprung a zone the second game of the season.
"We had a long discussion about it during practice and during film, and it's about being comfortable against it, knowing that you're going to see it, and then knowing what sets you go to that all five guys are comfortable with," forward LeBron James said. "From the game against Indiana, and then they ran a few possessions in Atlanta and now as a team, we're just more comfortable with it."
Haslem's rib
Following Saturday's 101-90 victory in New Jersey, Spoelstra, while discussing Udonis Haslem's early-season shooting struggles, revealed the backup power forward has been dealing with a cracked rib.
Haslem, who leads all NBA reserves in rebounding, coming off Saturday's 12-point, 12-rebound effort against the Nets, said he was disappointed an excuse was made public.
"I mean, it's a little uncomfortable, but I'm fine," he said. "Once I get out there, I get going and my adrenaline starts flowing and I'm in the flow of the game. It is what it is."
He has played the past five games with the injury.
"It happened against Minnesota," he said of the Dec. 30 victory. "LeBron passes me the ball and I took a dribble and went up against (Ricky) Rubio. I fell awkwardly. It's just a small crack in the rib, just small, nothing big."
Saturday's effort marked the sixth time this season amid the Heat's 8-1 start and the third consecutive game Haslem has grabbed double-figure rebounds.
More injuries
Haslem isn't the only one ailing. Guard Dwyane Wade was held out of a third consecutive game Saturday with a bruised left foot.
"He's getting closer," Spoelstra said. "We don't want to push it. LeBron definitely was ready; Dwyane is getting closer. I think the next couple of days will really help him."
Actually, after returning Saturday from a one-game absence, James said his sprained left ankle is not fully fit.
"It's not 100 percent," he said. "But the good thing, finally, didn't think we were going to be able to have this, but we've got a few days off. We don't play a game until Tuesday, so it gives me some time to rehab and rest it and strengthen it, as well, and be ready for Tuesday (against the Golden State Warriors)."
In addition, starting point guard Mario Chalmers left Saturday's game early with a bruised shoulder, before returning.
"He'll be sore the next couple of days," Spoelstra said. "But he got checked out by the team doctor and was cleared to play."
Cole's miscues
With Chalmers ailing and in foul trouble Saturday, it opened the door for rookie Norris Cole to play 31 minutes. It was an uneven showing, with the first-round pick 4 of 13 from the field, with six assists, two turnovers and five fouls. After committing 11 turnovers in the first six games, he now has 12 in the last three. "I don't want to confuse him too much," Spoelstra said. "I don't want his mind heavy. I want him to change the pace when he's in there. He will catch up on a lot of the details.
"He's spending a lot of time watching film and studying up with our system and where his looks are. But during the game, I want him playing with a free mind."
iwinderman@tribune.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat
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