When the Heat tips off against the Magic tonight at AmericanAirlines Arena, it will have been eight days since it last played a game. But Heat players and coach Pat Riley say the team is where it needs to be, both physically and mentally.

''We scrimmaged for about 30 minutes today, [and] that's a long time,'' guard Eddie Jones said after Tuesday's practice. ``But guys didn't want to come out and they wanted to keep playing.''

The Heat had its extended hiatus because of last weekend's All-Star break. Monday's practice was the team's first collective activity since a Feb. 5 loss to Atlanta. Riley was asked if two days of work was enough to regroup after a long layoff.

''I think it is,'' he said. ``They all came back in pretty good shape. Some guys actually lost weight. They look pretty good from a basketball standpoint. Every [team] is facing the same thing a little bit.''

On Tuesday, players went through a three-hour practice, then were required to ride exercise cycles for 30 minutes for the second straight day, making for a tough start to the week. Center Vladimir Stepania said he lost approximately 7 pounds during Monday's practice.

? The Heat worked Tuesday on beating Orlando's perimeter defense, something that led to Miami's demise in the teams' last meeting. Guards Troy Hudson and Darrell Armstrong pestered the Heat in the Magic's 92-87 victory Jan. 24, disrupting Miami's offensive flow and allowing Orlando to rally.

? Memphis reportedly might release center Ike Austin, who played his best basketball during nearly two years with the Heat (1996-98). But the Heat has not shown interest in Austin, 32, who has knee problems.

? Heat Spanish radio announcer Jose Pa?eda announces his 1,000th consecutive game tonight.