It is one of those fundamental tasks in basketball that players are expected to grasp in the infancy of their careers. But for some reason, the importance of rebounding seemed lost on the Heat for much of the season -- until now.

Entering tonight's road test at New Jersey -- the sixth-leading rebounding team in the league -- Miami looks to extend its streak of games with improved rebounding, a stretch that by no surprise has coincided with three consecutive wins.

The Heat has been one of the league's poorest rebounding clubs all season, but in four of its past five games it has outrebounded its opponents, and by substantial margins in three of those contests. Now, the trickle-down effect is being felt in other areas of the team's game, particularly in the win column.

``It's a big key,'' said forward Jim Jackson, who pulled down 10 rebounds in the Heat's win over Indiana last week. ``That means we're doing our job and [it] allows us to get out on the break and get some easy baskets. I think it's a more concerted effort. We're establishing better position and not getting beat on second and third shots.''

The Heat's latest effort on the boards was especially notable. Golden State, which Miami dispatched 92-84 on Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena, came to town as the top rebounding team in the NBA, led by forward Danny Fortson (12.9 per game). The Warriors are also No. 1 on the offensive glass.

But the Heat seemed unimpressed with those credentials, proceeding to manhandle the Warriors on the boards. Miami finished with a 54-39 advantage for its third straight victory.

The most surprising part of the Heat's rebounding success is the suddenness with which it arrived. Miami has ranked near the bottom of the league in rebounding all season, and even after its recent progress it ranks 23rd of 29 teams. Amazingly, in its past five games, the Heat is second only to Minnesota in rebounding.

The reason for the season-long struggles is simple -- the Heat has not gotten the production on the boards its players have given in the past. Case in point: Alonzo Mourning, who has averaged 10 rebounds during his career, recently improved his season average to 8.4.

Another example: Brian Grant, who last year grabbed 8.8 rebounds per game, is at 7.1. And yet more evidence: LaPhonso Ellis, the same player who in his rookie season averaged 9.1 rebounds, has been giving the Heat just 4.8 rebounds this season despite playing 30 minutes a game.

It's also worth noting Miami is playing without Anthony Mason (9.6 rebounds last season) after losing the forward in free agency.

``I think everybody is really just taking it upon themselves to try and do all the little things,'' said Ellis, who grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench against Golden State.

``Little things'' score big points with coach Pat Riley, who has done his best to prevent his team from forgetting the less-noticeable, yet crucial tasks in the game -- such as rebounding.

``We've been focusing on it,'' Riley said. ``We're winning the effort points now -- effort points being second-chance points, fast-break points, and things of that nature.''

Of course, effort always comes with rewards, and in the case of Miami's markedly improved rebounding, the prize has been more offense.

The Heat has seen its fast-break opportunities increase with its rebounding as the big men are getting outlet passes to the guards before the defense can get set.

``Guys aren't as tense when we look up at the shot clock and there's four, five seconds left,'' Ellis said. ``We feel like we can make one more pass and get a better shot.''