Early in the season, Heat forward Brian Grant was so down on himself that he almost chopped off his trademark dreadlocks.

But, seemingly recovered from a bone bruise on his foot that cost him five games, Grant has since found his confidence and game, and instead opted for a trim. Grant admitted the trade rumors bothered him.

"I was dealing with other issues besides confidence," said the 6-foot-9 Grant, who has four double-doubles in points and rebounds over his past seven games. "We were all dealing with something to be 5-23. ... We've been through a rough period and we've grown. Now there's nothing but confidence no matter the outcome."

The Heat's collective cockiness was certainly knocked down a few pegs by the Timberwolves in Sunday's 93-80 whipping, but still it's only Miami's sixth double-digit loss of the season, which is second to the Lakers' five.

"Grant's not getting in foul trouble and he's going back to being the workhorse," coach Pat Riley said. "Even though he's the workhorse, a rebounder and defender, don't think I'm not going to go to him."

Riley went to him in Friday's 90-88 overtime win over the Bucks and he responded with a 15-foot swish to tie it at 88 with 1:18 to play in overtime. Eddie Jones did the rest.

"Early on I was hesitating," said Grant, who's averaging nearly 10 points and 7.4 rebounds. "I would pass up open shots. And on rebounds, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a board. Now, they just seem to come off. It's all about having a good time doing what you're doing."

Grant, who had just six points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes Sunday, knows that a bad game now or then won't shake his confidence -- or his coach's.

"Coach Riley has shown me a lot of patience," he said.

Now, Grant is repaying the favor.

"It was a rough time, but I'll never give up coaching my players," Riley said.

HOUSE REPAIRED

Guard Eddie House, who strained his lower right leg Friday, warmed up and told Riley he could play. Although ineffective in the first half, he finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.

"It felt good, a little sore," said House, whose bobblehead will be given out to fans at tonight's game against the Bulls.

House's quick recovery shelved any notion of Riley's to activate a healthy Anthony Carter. The blowout loss enabled seldom-used guard Mike James to snare 11 minutes in the fourth quarter (3 points, 3 assists). ...

F LaPhonso Ellis' return to Minnesota for the first time since playing for the 'Wolves last year wasn't too memorable, as he clanged 0 for 4 from the field and was unable to contain the much taller Minnesota front line.