by Sports Xchange

Chalmers' position was a concern entering the season. It's why the Heat signed veteran free agent Carlos Arroyo and explored other options at the position. Miami wants consistency, and Chalmers has only been so-so.

"I think he's making progress," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "With Mario it's all about being consistent."

--F Michael Beasley had a conversation with coach Erik Spoelstra about not playing at the end of games. The Heat has opted to use veteran Udonis Haslem down the stretch of every game this season when the outcome was still in question in the closing minutes.

"It wasn't a punishment-type conversation," Beasley said. "It wasn't anything bad. I'm just not doing everything I'm supposed to do."

--When F Quentin Richardson was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in August, Heat President Pat Riley said he viewed Richardson as a shooting guard. The thought was he would serve as the primary backup to Dwyane Wade.

But with Daequan Cook emerging in the offseason as a more logical backup to Wade, and with the Heat's small forwards proving mostly nondescript in the preseason, Richardson was given the opening-night assignment. He has thrived, even with Tuesday's scoreless outing against Washington.

"It's not only his shot-making abilities," Wade said. "You know that every night he's going to bring his toughness and he's going to guard the other team's best player."

While Wade did not necessarily lobby for the addition of his Chicago hometown friend, he said the fit has proved snug, even if it does create a somewhat undersized perimeter rotation.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I told the guys, 'I'm taking it upon myself to give us a spark.'" -- Dwyane Wade, on his halftime comments to his teammates before scoring 29 points over the final two quarters Tuesday against Washington.