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Dwyane Wade's lucrative contract extension just kicked in this season, bumping his salary by about $10 million from last season. But he would like to know which of his younger, newer and relatively poorer teammates would pay for dinner. When the Heat (4-11) returns from its six-game Western Conference trip that begins Sunday vs. the Nuggets (10-7), its players hope to have learned much more about one another -- on and off the court. The theory is that by going away, the Heat believes it can come together. SEARCH CONTINUES Over the next 10 days, the search for chemistry that has eluded the team for much of the season's first month will be one priority. It's quest for camaraderie will be another. ''When you're at home, when practice is over, everybody goes home and you see each other the next day,'' Wade said. ``On the road, it's just y'all. And you need that. You get to get out there and grow tight together. It shows on the court.'' It will be a challenging journey. The itinerary has two back-to-back sets and games at the Jazz, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Lakers and Suns. The Heat used a similar six-game swing last season to overcome a rough start and work through many of the issues it now faces. After a 13-18 start, the Heat went 4-2 on its first long trip. It was the start of a stretch in which the Heat won 23 of 34 games to get back in the playoff race. ''The road can be a place where, if you take it real serious from a business standpoint, you can bond and good things can happen,'' coach Pat Riley said. ``We'll see what happens. Sometimes, you can get your act together on the road.'' This trip is familiar on several fronts. There's the health factor. Last season, Wade and Shaquille O'Neal used the swing to stage their returns from wrist and knee injuries, respectively. This trip, both are rounding into form from ailments. There's the adversity. Last season, the Heat departed with two rotations players -- forwards James Posey and Antoine Walker -- left behind because they failed to meet conditioning standards. Riley also was away from the team for health reasons. This time, guard Smush Parker was left behind to deal with allegations he assaulted a valet attendant. And there's the chemistry. Last season, the Heat had yet to settle on a long-term starter at small forward, when Jason Kapono emerged on the trip and had a breakout season. This season, Riley continues to tweak a rotation that features as many as six new players in supporting roles. ''It would be great if someone else like that steps to the forefront, make plays and help us win some games,'' said Chris Quinn, who is starting at point guard in Riley's latest lineup change. ``We have guys capable.'' With the Heat seven games below .500 for the first time since the 2003-04 season, there also is a sense of urgency to this trip, players said. `DANGEROUS TRIP' ''It's a dangerous trip, record-wise,'' O'Neal said of the Heat, which has the second-worst record in the East. ``We damn near need to [win] all of them to get back on track. We just need to come closer together, limit our mistakes and win some games.'' A little bonding won't hurt, either, for the Heat, which has averaged 20 road victories in the past three seasons. ''Being in each other's face all the time, you have no choice,'' Haslem said. ``You hang out, maybe catch a movie. It's not all basketball stuff. But it helps. We went out on the road and won some games last year. We have to keep that tradition up.''
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