Swarming defenses and poor stamina have caused Alonzo Mourning's fourth-quarter scoring numbers to plummet, hampering a Heat offense that is often ineffective late in games. But coach Pat Riley doesn't seem concerned.

Instead, Riley on Sunday encouraged Mourning to concentrate on defense and rebounding even at the expense of an inconsistent offensive game.

Mourning entered the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss at Detroit with 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting. But Mourning, faced with double-teams, never took a shot from the field in the fourth and played just 4:41 of the quarter because of foul trouble.

Mourning committed four fouls in the fourth, and fouled out while trying to get offensive position with the Heat down 78-70 and 2:03 left. His only fourth-quarter point came on a free throw.

Since a viral infection sidelined him early in the season, Mourning has totaled just 33 fourth-quarter points in 20 games. During that stretch, he has scored more than three points in the fourth quarter only three times.

Over 23 games this season, Mourning has just 47 fourth-quarter points. His energy sapped by kidney disease, Mourning sometimes can't establish ideal position late in games. Double teams, though, are the biggest hinderance.

``There isn't a time we don't try to get him the basketball if the game's on the line,'' Riley said.

Mourning's 14.0 scoring average is well below his 20.9 career average, although part of that results from playing fewer minutes. But Riley is more interested in Mourning's defense.

``A player has to understand who he is,'' Riley said. ``Zo was Defensive Player of the Year [twice previously], is a shot-blocker, intimidator inside. That's where his greatness is. That's where he has to focus a lot more of his energy. Rebound, clog the lane, and let the offense come with it. . . . Sometimes we don't do what it is we do best.

``A couple blocks he had on [Memphis'] Stromile Swift the other night were incredible. I'm beginning to see flashes of the old Zo more consistently. I've seen some things from Zo that have really encouraged me the last couple of games.''

Spurs forward Bruce Bowen joined Tim Hardaway as the second former Heat player to imply Mourning might be better off retiring and concentrating on his recovery.
``I know Zo loves to play and that he would miss the game, but at what point do you say, `I've tried this and it's not working? Maybe it's time to try something else,' '' Bowen said.

Riley, on why the Heat is shooting just 67.3 percent from the line, ahead of only the Lakers: ``My guys will shoot 100 free throws in practice and make 80 or 90 of them. When they turn the lights on, and you can't make 80 percent of your free throws, there's something outside of the game that's bothering you.''