--G Daequan Cook again sat out with a strained right shoulder against the Wizards although he was back on the active roster. "In a perfect world," coach Erik Spoelstra said, "he could use another couple of practices." That left F Dorell Wright to claim the remaining spot in the perimeter rotation. It only took one Gilbert Arenas basket against G Carlos Arroyo for Spoelstra to switch Wright onto Arenas and put Arroyo on G Randy Foye during Tuesday's game. Said Spoelstra, "Dorell's been giving us some good minutes, especially defensively."

--F Michael Beasley made an unexpected appearance just 14 seconds into Tuesday's game, with his driving dunk opening the scoring. His beneath-the-rim problems soon reappeared, however, with consecutive shots blocked by Brendan Haywood.

--G Mario Chalmers was active against the Wizards, sneaking into the lane for a tip in-in the opening period. He later scored in the lane in the third quarter. Those are the type of forays the Heat needs to see more of. It was one of Chalmers' better efforts of the season.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--G Daequan Cook (shoulder) sat out a fifth consecutive game against the Wizards, despite practicing for two days and being cleared to return.

--G Chris Quinn (bruised foot) is out of his walking boot and available for his first action of the season. He has yet to make it off the inactive list.

--C Jermaine O'Neal is playing through a broken nose, declining to wear a mask.