Carlos Arroyo is now the starting point guard with Alston out of commission for a while so they need him to step up. The early returns are good as Arroyo is averaging 38.7 minutes, 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals in his last three games. Arroyo has played in 53 games (16 starts) this season for the Heat and he is averaging 18.4 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. This is a good move for the Heat as Arroyo is better than Alston anyway.

The Heat have suspended point guard Rafer Alston indefinitely for making himself unavailable to the team. He had a recent nasty outburst when taken out of a game and the Heat just aren’t going to put up with that kind of stuff from a player who has been awful. Alston has played in 25 games (all starts) for the Heat this season and he is averaging 26.2 minutes, 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Alston is only shooting 35.5% from the floor so the Heat won’t miss him while he is out.

The Heat shot 52.5% from the floor and that was the biggest reason for the nice home win last night. Dwyane Wade led the way for the Heat last night with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 14 assists. Quentin Richardson also had a monster game with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals last night. Carlos Arroyo got the start at point guard last night and he made the most of it finishing with 17 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists in 42 minutes. The Heat are now 31-31 on the year.

The Heat outrebounded the Warriors 50-35 last night and it was a huge key in the nice win. Dwyane Wade was back in top form as he led the way for the Heat last night with 35 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists and 4 steals. Quentin Richardson (15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals) and Michael Beasley (15 points and 5 rebounds) really helped out the Heat from the forward slots last night. Jermaine O’Neal was solid in the middle last night for the Heat with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists last night. Carlos Arroyo was outstanding off the bench for the Heat last night with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. The Heat are now 30-31 on the year.

Jermaine O’Neal has been playing some very good basketball in the month of February and has really stepped it up the past few games with Dwyane Wade out.  O’Neal is only averaging 13.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks on the season.  This month has been much better for O’Neal though, with him averaging 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks.  He has scored 18 or more points in five of the last six games and kept the Heat from falling apart with D. Wade out.  They are 2-2 without Wade and O’Neal is the main reason why.  O’Neal has had a lot of injury problems the past few years though, and has been playing through a strained back lately.  If O’Neal can stay healthy and keep up this productive play, it could really help the Heat make a surge in the Eastern Conference playoff picture when Wade returns.