Partially lost in the Heat recent success (relatively speaking) has been the drop-off in production of swingman Jim Jackson.

Soon after being acquired, Jackson was the answer to Miami's plea for offense, and he took advantage of the situation, shooting 50 percent and averaging 16 points in his first seven games with the Heat.

But since his game-winning three-pointer against Houston on Dec. 15, Jackson is shooting less than 40 percent (including 26 percent in the past three games) and averaging 9.7 points a game.

Heat coach Pat Riley takes part of the blame for Jackson's struggles, saying he needs to find ways to get Jackson good shots. But that becomes more difficult when Alonzo Mourning and Eddie Jones are producing as well.

"Eddie's been playing well, we have reemphasized our post-up game so we're getting the ball to Zo and Brian (Grant) a lot," Riley said. "So it's sort of hard with that starting lineup, having four guys that you have to get off, Jim and Eddie, Brian and Zo."

Jackson's shot attempts have decreased in the past 10 games, coinciding with the steady improvement of Mourning. In his first seven games, Jackson was getting 13.7 shots a game, while his average in the past 10 is down to 10.4.

Riley said he "probably would be better" if one of his current starters came off the bench, but added that he's not ready to make that change.

"I feel really comfortable with Jimmy out on the court and I think before long we will find a groove for him where we can go to him a lot more," Riley said. "He's one of our best post-up players. His percentage scoring in the post is better than anybody else's."

Jackson wouldn't mind being the third post-up option should Mourning or Grant be in foul trouble or out of a game altogether.

"I think so because I draw a double-team and I can find the open man," he said.

But Jackson emphasized that he doesn't want to force the issue as long as the team continues to improve.

"I want to be more aggressive, and I think there's lot more things I can do, but it's a matter of timing and how you infuse that into the offense where you don't take everything out of the way we're playing," Jackson said.

Carter to have surgery: Anthony Carter is scheduled to undergo surgery for his injured abdomen today, a decision he has put off for almost three weeks.

Carter was placed on the injured list Dec. 21 for an injury that's been bothering him since training camp. Carter will know better after surgery what the estimated recovery time is, but he was previously told that it would be two- to three-week recovery period.