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New tandem on display

The team Pat Riley hoped to field when he traded Shaquille O'Neal could be on display for the first time today.

Riley said he likely will start Udonis Haslem for the first time since the forward sprained his right ankle Jan. 29 alongside the recently acquired Shawn Marion against Sacramento.

Haslem will take his usual spot at power forward and Marion, who has been filling in for Haslem at that position, will move to his natural spot at small forward.

Haslem played for the first time since his injury Saturday, contributing eight points and nine rebounds in 30 minutes in a loss to Philadelphia. After a grueling practice Monday, Haslem was winded and dripping with sweat as he fights to get back his endurance. But he said he felt "good enough" to return.

"I'm just looking forward to having my second consecutive game," Haslem said.

He and Marion banged around in the paint during practice and Marion felt emboldened by the prospect of playing alongside Haslem for just the second time.

"There were some battles here today in practice," Marion said.

However, no one should expect cohesiveness just yet. Both players said they will need time to learn how the other plays before the team can start reaping the rewards.

"We've still got to get a feel for each other on the floor. We still haven't built that chemistry yet," Marion said.

Riley said its clear Haslem needs more time to reach his pre-injury form, but the two should work well together. The biggest change has been drawing up plays for the talented Marion, who used to get the majority of his points on fast breaks in Phoenix.

"It really is like night and day," Riley said. "I've got to get a package for him so he can get some shots when we're not just running the ball."

The biggest adjustment will be for Marion, who is now in a set offense. Riley said he expects Haslem will be able to help immediately, especially with rebounding and defense, and "can play off anybody," in adjusting to Marion. Together, their challenge will by trying to stop Kings forward Ron Artest.

"It's going to take some getting used to," Haslem said. "If we can get it together, I think it'll be a pretty good combination, especially on the boards."

The odd man out is forward Dorrell Wright, who returns to a backup role behind Marion. However, he can use the rest. He was excused from practice Monday for the birth of his first child, Devin Quentin Dwyane Wright, was born at 8 pounds, 13 ounces. The boy was named after Wright's two closest friends, Knicks forward Quentin Richardson and Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who helped him at the beginning of his career.

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