Heat guard Mario Chalmers doesn't like coming off the bench, but he isn't blaming anyone but himself for the demotion.

"I don't like coming off the bench," said Chalmers. "It's something I did to myself. I let the team down but at the same time I have to keep working and try to be that energy person and bring what I brought as a starter to the second group."

Chalmers started all 82 games as a rookie last season and Miami is 2-1 since the point guard went to the bench.

"[Chalmers] does have fight in him and he has a lot of pride," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He didn't want to give up that starting position. I know that for sure and he probably does have a little attitude about it.

"Conflict isn't bad when it's healthy and he will be given an opportunity to fight for that position depending on how it's affecting the team dynamic.

"I think he's played with a good focus, passion and consistency off the bench. Carlos has given us a good motor to start the game. We'll see how it turns out."