Heat coach Pat Riley said after Sunday's loss to the Lakers that he looked forward to breaking down film of the team's first game with Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

Turns out, he wasn't too pleased with the first impression of the Heat's new-look, up-tempo offense.

The Heat broke down 45 offensive transition plays from the 104-94 loss to the Lakers. Riley said the energy was good, but the Heat was not as effective as it should have been in fast-break situations.

''The fans got excited about the fact that there were a lot of athletes running up and down the court, but we were not really efficient in those 45 assaults,'' Riley said. ``We looked at every one of them. I said to them, `How can I allow you to play this [faster] game unless you can play it better? Otherwise, that's why we haven't played the game that way.''

The Heat outscored the Lakers in the paint (50-34), in fast-break points (15-14) and had a better field-goal percentage (.475 to .457). But the difference was in turnovers, where the Heat had 18 that led to 25 points.

HASLEM IMPROVING

Forward Udonis Haslem is no longer in a protective boot and participated in some light shooting at the end of Monday's practice. But Riley said Haslem is not ready to return from the high left ankle sprain that has forced him to miss six games.

''He's doing a little more every day,'' Riley said. ``He's on the bike full-time now. It's good to see him out of the boot and in basketball shoes. But I think it's still going to be awhile.''

TUESDAY: NUGGETS

AT HEAT

• When: 7:30 p.m.

• Where: AmericanAirlines Arena.

• TV, radio: Sun Sports, WIOD (610), WQBA (1140, Spanish).

• The series: Heat leads 23-19.

• The game: The Nuggets have won five consecutive games in the series, including a 115-89 victory Dec. 2. Heat guard Ricky Davis missed Monday's practice because of the flu and is questionable.

[More at www.miamiherald.com ]