MIAMI (AP) Miami Heat forward Malik Allen missed practice with a sprained left knee Tuesday, a day after being taken off the court on a stretcher.

Tests didn't show a break, but Allen did not leave with the Heat on a three-game road trip that begins at Atlanta on Wednesday.

Allen was hurt in the second quarter of Monday's 105-96 win over the Chicago Bulls. After colliding while jockeying for position, two Bulls, Eddy Curry and Marcus Fizer, fell on Allen's knee.

The prognosis was better for Lamar Odom, who sat out Monday's game with a bruised right knee. Odom, the Heat's second leading scorer, returned to practice Tuesday and is expected to play against the Hawks.

Reserve Wang Zhi-Zhi also will miss the start of the road trip after traveling to California to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple's first child. It is not known when he will return.

As much as playoff possibilities hovered over Friday night's Mavericks-Heat game at AmericanAirlines Arena, there also was a tangible subtext.

Fueled by rumors, but strong enough to elicit responses from both parties, is the notion that Pat Riley could emerge from the Heat front office to take over next season on the Dallas sidelines.

The reports have coincided with the Mavericks' inability to produce quality, Riley-like defense during Don Nelson's coaching tenure.

With one year left on his front-office commitment to the Heat, Riley said there is no credence to the speculation.

"It is absolutely irresponsible journalism," he said. "If anybody throws my name out there, like that, for any team, any organization, it's absolutely irresponsible and it's wrong.

"It's irresponsible because there's nothing to it, absolutely nothing to it. I have to deal with it, we have to deal with it, but when my owner looks at it, he's wondering and it's not fair."

MIAMI (AP) Micky Arison attended the 1955 World Series at Ebbetts Field as a 6-year-old fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

He watched the woeful expansion New York Mets lose at the Polo Grounds.

And in 1965, he sneaked into Shea Stadium for a concert by the Beatles. He was 16.

``Old enough to know better,'' Arison says with a laugh.

These days, Arison does his cheering at NBA games as owner of the Miami Heat. He acknowledges that the role is frustrating because the Heat have been losing a lot of games and money recently.

Arison is also chairman of Carnival Corp., the largest cruise line company in the world. But while the growth of Carnival _ including the recent launching of the Queen Mary 2 _ has made Arison the second-wealthiest resident of Florida, his NBA franchise struggles.

``I would not characterize it as a success,'' Arison said. ``I would characterize it as a work in progress, and hopefully we'll be successful one day.''

The Heat had losing records the past two seasons, and they're below .500 again this year. Because of high player salaries and debt payments on their 4-year-old arena, the Heat say they've been losing up to $30 million annually in recent years.

With a smile, Arison confesses that he sometimes kicks himself for getting into sports ownership, and he doesn't plan on buying any more teams.

``One sports team is probably one too many,'' he said. ``No, I'm kidding. But it's a tough business. It's very consuming. It's very depressing when you lose.''

Arison's late father, Ted, co-founded the expansion Heat in 1988, and Micky bought a controlling interest in 1995 for $60 million. Later that year he hired coach Pat Riley, who transformed a perennial loser into a team that won four consecutive Atlantic Division titles.

But for the most part, the Heat's luck has been lousy. There were back-to-back last-second playoff losses to the New York Knicks, and shortly after the team moved into AmericanAirlines Arena in January 2000, All-Star center Alonzo Mourning was diagnosed with a serious kidney illness.

The Heat sank in the standings, and financial losses rose. Thousands of seats in the vast 19,600-seat arena sat empty at almost every game.

To reduce the red ink, the player payroll was slashed to less than $50 million this season, a decrease of nearly $30 million from the late 1990s. Salaries for employees were cut 10 percent last fall.

It's small consolation to Arison that pro basketball is hardly alone in South Florida among sports with budget and attendance problems. The Florida Marlins lost money last year despite winning the World Series, and the NHL Florida Panthers are also running in the red.

Arison, 54, leaves most of the work to others, primarily Riley, who quit as coach last October but remains team president. Arison spends most of his time on his cruise business and becomes involved with the Heat only if there's a major financial decision, such as the acquisition last August of $65 million free agent Lamar Odom.

Riley appreciates Arison's willingness to stay out of the spotlight.

``Other men have to be seen,'' Riley said. ``They're sitting behind the bench. They're thumping their chest. They're speaking out in the press. And he's not that way. Even though he's very involved behind the scenes, he does it in a different manner.''

Still a fan, just like when he was growing up in New York City, Arison roots for the Heat from a courtside seat. He envisions better days when the Heat again make the playoffs, perhaps in April.

There's cause for optimism. Riley abruptly quit as coach four days before the season, but he remains in charge of personnel and is rebuilding with a promising core of talented young players for new coach Stan Van Gundy. However, attendance has declined for the third consecutive year to 14,959 per game.

``The team looks like it's very much going in the right direction,'' NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said. ``If that continues, the fans will be back. Miami is not one of the teams we sit around worrying about.''

The Heat might be only the fourth most popular team in Miami _ behind the Dolphins, Hurricanes and Marlins _ but the value of the franchise has climbed to an estimated $236 million. That's four times what Arison paid for the Heat nine years ago.

There have been periodic rumors that he wants to sell.

``Do I think about it? Sure. But the team is not for sale,'' Arison said. ``I'm working very hard to try to see this thing through and turn it around.''

Heat forward Lamar Odom was forced to watch his teammates pull out a gutsy victory over the Hornets on Tuesday night after getting hit with his second technical foul for talking trash to New Orleans center Robert Traylor.

Before getting tossed, Odom was upended by Hornets guard Darrell Armstrong and fell hard to the court. Over the past two days, Odom has felt pain in his left knee, so he sat out practice Thursday as a precaution.

But Odom, who left his injury-prone reputation in Los Angeles, expects to play in Saturday's home matinee against the desperate Philadelphia 76ers and their enigmatic superstar Allen Iverson.

"It would be more of a concern if we had to play [Thursday or today], but having the time off, I don't think we'll have any problem on Saturday," Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said.

MIAMI (AP) The Miami Heat started 0-7 and most likely will finish below .500 for the third straight year. They rank close to last in the NBA in shooting and scoring, and they have a habit of blowing leads and losing close games.

So what's it like to play for such an ordinary outfit?

``It's magical now,'' forward Caron Butler says.

Huh?

``It feels great,'' guard Eddie Jones adds. ``To be there in the hunt with meaningful games, it's wonderful.''

Yes, the Heat may be mediocre. But in the Eastern Conference, mediocrity ensures a shot at a playoff berth.

Going into Tuesday's home game against New Orleans, the Heat (30-37) were tied with the New York Knicks for seventh place in the East, with three teams trailing them by two games or less. Eight teams advance to the postseason.

Chasing a playoff spot is a pleasant change for the Heat, who were out of the race early the past two seasons. Five of their top players have never been to the postseason, including starters Butler, Lamar Odom and Dwayne Wade, which makes the opportunity that much more tantalizing.

``I'm no longer playing for stats or playing for percentages or worried about how many times I shoot or where I shoot from,'' Odom says. ``I'm kind of playing the game to win it.''

Such selfless sacrifice is evident in recent results. The Heat have won five of their past six games, including victories over Atlantic Division leader New Jersey and Pacific Division leader Sacramento.

In other words, Miami _ which sports a winning percentage of .394 over the past three seasons _ seems to be rising to the occasion.

It helps that coach Stan Van Gundy's team is learning how to protect a lead. That's been a problem much of the season, but when the Nets made a charge from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit Sunday, Miami hung on to win.

``Earlier in the year, when people made runs back at us, we looked very flustered,'' Van Gundy says. ``We've matured a great deal.''

With Detroit or New Jersey the probable first-round opponent, a Heat playoff appearance would most likely be brief. But the experience would valuable for Van Gundy's young team.

Rookie guard Wade is an emerging star. Rookie forward Udonis Haslem has bolstered a weak bench. The versatile Odom is making strides in shedding his reputation as an underachiever at 24.

And for a franchise that won four consecutive Atlantic Division titles (1997-00) before hitting the skids, a return to the postseason would be embraced as a sign of progress.

``I'd be disappointed if we don't get there,'' Jones says.

MIAMI (AP) The Miami Heat placed guard Bimbo Coles on the injured list Sunday with a lower back strain and activated center Wang Zhi-Zhi.

Coles has played sparingly this season, averaging 1.3 points in 22 games.

Wang had been on the injured list since spraining his right ankle in practice Feb. 6. He has averaged 3.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 11 games with the Heat this season.

The 7-foot-1 center was expected to be available for Miami's game against New Jersey on Sunday night.

Vin Baker, who was declared a free agent by an arbitrator on Thursday, signed with the New York Knicks on Friday.

Baker will be added to the active roster immediately, and coach Lenny Wilkens will decide if Baker plays against the Sixers tonight, general manager Isiah Thomas said.

NEW YORK (AP) Vin Baker will decide Friday whether he'll play for the Miami Heat or the New York Knicks.

Baker won his arbitration case against the NBA on Thursday, freeing him to sign with the team of his choice.

``He'll make a decision in the next 24 hours, not sooner,'' agent Aaron Goodwin said Thursday night. ``He's trying to figure out which one is a better fit for him.''

Whether he chooses Miami or New York, Baker is expected to receive a salary equal to a prorated share of the veteran's minimum for a player with 10 years of experience.

The Knicks (29-36) and Heat (28-37) are both in need of frontcourt depth and a player who can score in the low post.

Baker was shooting more than 50 percent for the Boston Celtics before he was suspended - and subsequently had his contract terminated - for violating terms of his alcohol treatment program.

In Baker's grievance against the NBA, argued Monday, arbitrator Roger Kaplan invalidated a league memo barring all 29 teams from signing Baker until his grievance against the Celtics is settled.

Kaplan set an initial hearing date of April 12 for that case.

The NBA argued if Baker were to win his case against Boston, he'd have to return to the Celtics because the remaining 2{ seasons of his contract - and $35 million in salary - would be reinstated.

The players' union argued Baker should have a right to seek employment elsewhere while his case against the Celtics is pending.

Kaplan ruled the NBA's memo violated articles 11 and 14 of the collective bargaining agreement, which deal with free agency and collusion, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said.

``Clearly the NBA and Boston have to be concerned about this preliminary ruling,'' union director Billy Hunter said. ``We're confident that when the matter is heard we'll get a favorable ruling in the underlying case.''

The union advised Baker that if he signs with the Knicks or Heat, it should only be for the remainder of this season.

Additional hearings in Baker's case against the Celtics were set for April 13, 26 and 27.

``We obviously disagree with the arbitrator's decision, but have elected not to appeal and to allow Mr. Baker to sign a contract with another team,'' Rick Buchanan, NBA senior vice president and general counsel, said in a statement.

Baker, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, was averaging 11 points and 5.7 rebounds for Boston.

The former All-Star's production has dropped significantly over the past several seasons, but there were at least three teams that believe he can help them reach the postseason in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.

Baker also was courted by the Toronto Raptors.

``At the end of the day, Vin decided he didn't want to play in Toronto,'' Goodwin said.

NEW YORK (AP) Vin Baker won his arbitration case against the NBA on Thursday, freeing him to sign with the team of his choice for the remainder of the regular season.

In a case that was argued Monday, arbitrator Roger Kaplan invalidated an NBA memo barring the other 28 teams from signing Baker until his other grievance - against the Boston Celtics - is settled.

No date has been set yet for Baker's case against the Celtics, who terminated the remaining 2{ years of Baker's contract _ worth $35 million _ after he missed 10 games while on suspension for violating terms of his alcohol treatment program.

Aaron Goodwin, Baker's agent, has said the New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have shown interest in signing his client.

The NBA had argued that if Baker were to win his case against Boston, he'd have to return to the Celtics because his contract would be reinstated. The players' union argued that Baker should have a right to seek employment elsewhere while his case against the Celtics is pending.

Kaplan ruled that the NBA's March 1 memo violated articles 11 and 14 of the collective bargaining agreement, which deal with free agency and collusion, union spokesman Dan Wasserman said.

The NBA had no immediate comment on the ruling, spokesman Tim Frank said.

Baker, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, was averaging 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds for Boston before being suspended.

The former All-Star's production has dropped significantly over the past several seasons, but there are at least three teams that believe he can help them reach the postseason in the tightly contested Eastern Conference playoff race.

MIAMI (AP) Lamar Odom sheepishly eyes a messy pile in front of his locker that includes dirty socks and seven size-16 shoes.

``Sorry about that,'' he says, pushing the clutter aside to clear a path for visitors and teammates.

Odom heard plenty of criticism during his first four NBA seasons, when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers and was labeled an undisciplined, unreliable underachiever. The worst the Miami Heat can say about their versatile power forward is that he's untidy.

Miami is contending for its first playoff berth since 2001, and the 6-foot-10 Odom is a big reason. The latest evidence: a 30-point, 19-rebound, 11-assist performance Saturday against Sacramento.

It was the Heat's first triple-double in nine years.

``He has a lot more in him,'' teammate Rafer Alston says. ``He's a phenomenal player.''

Still only 24, Odom is blossoming in his fifth pro season, with averages of 17.4 points and 9.8 rebounds, both career highs. He's also averaging 4.5 assists.

``It's a maturing process,'' Odom says. ``It has never been a big deal whether I could play or not. Staying healthy and doing the right things to protect my career off the court _ that was mostly everyone's concern. No one ever really said, 'I don't know if he can play. I don't think he's a good player.'''

Odom came to the NBA with a reputation for being flaky and indecisive. He played at three high schools as a senior, then drew the attention of NCAA investigators when recruited by UNLV and never played there.

He spent one season at Rhode Island, changed his mind twice about entering the draft and finally decided to leave college. He skipped pre-draft workouts with several teams and failed to show for a scouting combine.

The Clippers nonetheless took him with the fourth pick in 1999, but he was hampered by injuries and twice suspended for violating the league drug policy. He played a total of just 78 out of 164 games the past two seasons, and after he signed a free-agent contract with Miami, Clippers vice president Elgin Baylor questioned his character.

But Pat Riley saw a player with the potential to reverse the Heat's fortunes, and he drew Odom with a six-year, $65 million deal.

``I knew a lot was going to be asked of me here,'' Odom says. ``It's a position I wanted to be in.''

It's a position that has Odom all over the court. He runs the offense from the point, slashes or shoots from the wing and provides a vital inside presence for a team with an undersized center in Brian Grant.

``Lamar's a great player,'' Sacramento's Vlade Divac says. ``He does everything, and he makes the other players better.''

Odom has scored in double figures in all but five games, but he takes particular pride in rebounds and assists.

``That means you're getting your teammates involved,'' he says.

But Odom has been forced to carry the Heat at times. Leading scorer Eddie Jones is struggling through the worst shooting season of his career, and talented rookie guard Dwyane Wade has missed 20 games with injuries.

The Heat started 0-7 but have played nearly .500 ball since then, and they're one of six teams battling for the final three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

Miami, Cleveland and Toronto all were 27-36 through Sunday, tied for eighth place in the East.

A postseason appearance would be Odom's first.

``We're playing for so much right now,'' he says. ``I wake up every day thankful for my blessings and thankful that Coach Riley had enough confidence to bring me here and take care of me. All I had to do was worry about playing basketball.''