Guard Chris Quinn's emergence is easy to measure, but his demeanor off the court also is notable.

Coach Pat Riley called the second-year player, ``The most professional player on our team.''

''I don't care how young he is or if he doesn't play or he does play. I'm talking about right now,'' Riley said, referring to the Heat's active roster. ``The fact he has improved, his attitude is right, his character is right.''

With increased playing time, Quinn has become one of the Heat's most productive players. He has scored in double figures in six consecutive games and during that stretch is averaging 16 points a game. In the past five games he has shot 54.5 percent from three-point range.

''I'm just getting an opportunity and going out there and competing,'' Quinn said. ``Obviously it's not the best situation, not the situation we thought we would be in. [The] only thing we can do with five games remaining is go out there and play with pride and play as hard as we can and show what we can do out there.

``I would like to be playing with [Jason Williams] and Marcus [Banks] out there. But that's why I stay in shape and work as hard as I do so when an opportunity presents itself I'll be ready.''

THE CAUTIOUS ROUTE

Banks said he probably will miss the rest of the season more as a precaution and not primarily because his pulled right hamstring is causing pain.

''I could probably go,'' Banks said, ``but is it all the way healed? Would I have to worry about it hurting again?''

TUESDAY: BULLS AT HEAT

• When: 7:30 p.m.

• Where: AmericanAirlines Arena.

• TV, radio: Sun Sports; WIOD (610), WAQI (710, Spanish).

• The series: Bulls lead 42-30.

 

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