Because of an uninvited houseguest, the Heat's already-teetering season stands in limbo.

Center Alonzo Mourning missed Monday night's game at the Delta Center against the Utah Jazz, a 101-89 loss, because of what the team is terming the flu.

A team spokesman said Mourning's 5-year-old son, Trey, initially came down with the illness, followed by Mourning's 1-year-old daughter, Myka, with wife Tracy later affected.

Because of that, team physician Steve Tarkan provided antibiotics for the two-game trip, in case the veteran center developed symptoms. Mourning grew ill Sunday upon the team's arrival, began to run a fever, was checked by trainer Ron Culp, and then remained behind at the team hotel, to later fly with the team to Denver.

"He was sick last night when he got in,'' coach Pat Riley said. "He didn't come to the [morning] shootaround. Ron checked on him this afternoon, and he was just too sick."

Because Mourning is receiving ongoing treatment for a serious kidney illness that is in remission, Riley spoke only last week of the "pins-and-needles" impact any future Mourning illness could have on both the player and the team.

The Heat went 1-4 when Mourning missed five games in November with a stomach virus and lost the next six upon his return, with the illness for weeks limiting his stamina and strength.

Riley warned not to overstate the latest illness.

"He has a cold, so he's not feeling good,'' Riley said. "Last time was a virus, intestinal virus, that just sort of sapped him. I just hope this is just a case of the flu, maybe 24-hour stuff."

There is a major difference this time. With the stomach virus, Mourning was unable to keep down his kidney medications. With this illness, he has been able to continue what he said last week remains an eight-pill regimen. He also has been taking antibiotics.

Teammates understood that for Mourning to miss a game, he had to be significantly run down.

"I guarantee you he's back in the hotel with a thermometer in his mouth, wrapped up in blankets,'' power forward Brian Grant said. "Because the only way you keep him from playing is if he just can't play."

Said forward LaPhonso Ellis, "I'm sure he's sitting there, in his illness, wishing he could still be here out on the floor."

Mourning joked recently about the delicate balance between parenthood and the typical illnesses children bring home this time of year.

"They said it was running through the house,'' said Riley, a father of two. "When you've got kids, it just sort of spreads."

Mourning entered the trip averaging 17.8 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots in his previous 17 games, numbers that had given hope to an All-Star berth when the reserves for the Feb. 10 game in Philadelphia are announced today.

Considering tonight's game will be played at altitude in Denver, it is likely Mourning is days from a return. Ellis started in his place

"Obviously the ball won't be directed at the post that much,'' Riley said. "We'll make some adjustments, but we don't have the time to make major ones."