Coach Pat Riley and the Heat have been waiting for center Alonzo Mourning to show the type of play that has twice earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Throw out the game at Toronto when he played only 24 minutes and there's a hint that there are signs the old Mourning is beginning to surface. He has played 35 minutes in each of the past two games, recording 34 points, 20 rebounds and nine blocks.

"A couple of blocks he had the other night on [Stromile] Swift were incredible," Riley said. "I'm beginning to see the flashes of the old Zo more consistently.

"A player has to understand who he is and what he's all about as a player. He was defensive player of the year, a shot blocker, an intimidator inside and that's where his greatness is. That's where he has to focus a lot more of his energy ... I've seen some things that have been encouraging the last few games."

Mourning finished with his seventh double-double of the season, with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Few free throws

Much of the Heat's lack of scoring can be attributed to its inability to reach the free-throw line. Through Friday the Heat had the fewest trips to the charity strip, ahead of only Minnesota and Milwaukee.

"Getting more [free-throw attempts] would be nicer," Riley said. "Obviously, we don't get to the line that much. Any form of defensive aggression after that to put you on the line for a couple of shots is all part of the focus on the game. As far as making them, it comes to make or miss. If you can't make them during the game, there's something outside bothering you."

The Heat had attempted only 572 free throws, making 385 for a league-low 67.3 percent before Sunday's Detroit game.

"There are some nights when we are attacking more, slashing and driving more," Riley said. "The guys have to go to the basket with it. Our post-up players have to get fouled. The important thing about free throws is that at the beginning of each quarter it's important to be more aggressive and take the ball to the basket and get into the penalty early."

The Heat fared better against the Pistons, making 22 of 29 tries.

Strickland starts

Rod Strickland, nagged by a right groin injury all season and despite aggravating it against Memphis on Friday, earned the start against Detroit.

"He got very stiff the other night and you could see it when I put him back in the game," Riley said.

Strickland received treatment before Sunday's game. ...

Guard Anthony Carter didn't make the road trip because of a lower abdominal injury, though he was expected to come off the injury list before tonight's game against the Indiana Pacers.

Riley said Carter would get in a few practice sessions before a decision is made on his return. Not until then will a decision be made on surgery. If that is required, Carter could miss an additional three weeks.