Knicks' forward Zach Randolph was absent from practice yesterday after learning late Friday night that his grandmother died. Isiah Thomas would say only that Randolph, who returned home to Indiana, is questionable to play tonight against the Miami Heat.

If Randolph is missing, the task of dealing with Shaquille O'Neal could belong mainly to 12-year veteran Malik Rose, who has no shortage of experience against O'Neal.