His every cough, shiver and ache is overanalyzed, a precautionary measure in what has become Alonzo Mourning's ongoing struggle with his health. Eight pills daily keep Mourning's kidneys in check, but his immune system has been weakened by the rare kidney disease he contracted last year, causing him to miss all but 13 games last season.

Recently, an undetermined problem - either food poisoning, a stomach virus or the flu - caused Mourning to miss two of the Miami Heat's games, and raised suspicions that, perhaps, he is not as healthy as he seems.

It has been, as Mourning said, "torture." But he is back, and will start tonight, for the second consecutive game, when the 2-4 Heat host the 1-5 76ers at American Airlines Arena. Everyone involved in the game, including his opposition at center tonight, is pleased Mourning has returned.