Before the season began, Heat forward Brian Grant said his goal was to play in 82 games and play consistently.

Grant's on pace to play in all 82. As far as consistency, well, he's been that as well. Just not in the manner he would like.

Playing his natural position again was supposed to make Grant more effective. Instead, the 6-foot-9 power forward is struggling to make an impact. In the Heat's past four games, three of those being losses, Grant is averaging just 7.5 points and perhaps most disturbingly only five rebounds a game. And he recognizes it.

"I'm killing us," Grant said after the Heat's loss to Milwaukee on Thursday. "I need to give them some help out there."

Last season, without Alonzo Mourning, more was required of Grant and he managed to overcome playing out of position to average 15.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. He began the season even stronger than that, leading the Heat in scoring in eight of the first 25 games, including two 30-point games and a 20-rebound effort.

But Riley said Grant probably is succumbing to pressure this season, even with Mourning back.