Heat guard Anthony Carter didn't practice Wednesday, but he hasn't given up the idea of returning to the court in the near future.

Carter has missed the past six games with an abdominal strain and has considered surgery, which would cost him at least two weeks.

``He wants to try [playing] before it goes to surgery,'' said Heat coach Pat Riley. ``It's his body. He wants to give it rest and give it one more chance [to heal]. It's his choice.''

Said Carter: ``It feels a whole lot better. I just have to wait until it feels right.''
WHERE IS
THE BENCH?

Riley has plenty of problems, but one he would like to solve is his bench, which hasn't produced the way he would have liked.

``I've been trying to mix up assignments,'' Riley said. ``I've been rotating guys around. We're not getting what we need off the bench. We need to get 20 points off the bench. I think they will come around.''