Heat rookie point guard Mario Chalmers hopes to play better against the Hawks after a disappointing performance in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Chalmers had eight points, two assists and three turnovers in 34 minutes in Miami's loss on Sunday.

"He's the point guard so he's going to have to get his self going," Heat star Dwyane Wade said. "He has the ball, he runs the team. This is going to be a big series for him to grow up.

"Right now it's no secret their game plan is not to guard [Chalmers]. He's going to have to take that heart and find a way to counter that."

Chalmers did not practice Monday because of a twisted left ankle, but is expected to return to practice on Tuesday as the Heat prepare for Game 2 on Wednesday.

"It definitely fuels me," Chalmers said. "I have to go out there and prove that they can't leave me open and I'll be a threat in this series."