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Miami Heat's Michael Beasley likely to start at small forward

The Heat's pecking order at small forward finally has last year's second overall draft pick at the No. 1 spot.

Michael Beasley has emerged from a crowded field and is poised to be in the starting lineup for Miami's preseason opener Monday at Detroit.

Beasley opened Sunday's scrimmage with the first-team group that featured Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade in the backcourt, Udonis Haslem at power forward and Jermaine O'Neal at center.

Miami Heat's Michael Beasley makes vow to skeptics

Michael Beasley had a message Monday for any skeptics who continue to question his transition from a power game to the Heat's likely starting small-forward job.

``If you don't think I can play it, all I can tell you is sit back and watch,'' Beasley said after practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. ``I don't have a natural position. I'm comfortable on the floor no matter what, if you're asking.''

Beasley, the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, is eager to turn doubters into believers when he opens his second season Wednesday against the visiting New York Knicks.

Miami Heat discovers shooting stroke entering season

After an 0-3 start to the preseason that saw the Heat's shooting percentage hover just below the 40 percent mark, coach Erik Spoelstra is encouraged -- though not surprised -- at the team's offensive improvement in its past two games.

In Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Thursday's win against the New Orleans Hornets, the Heat regained its shooting touch, firing at a 48 percent clip from the floor and getting strong shooting performances from Michael Beasley and Daequan Cook.

``We did it by design,'' Spoelstra said. ``We spent the majority of training camp on defense to try and shore up some concerns we had on that end. Only in the last 10 days have we done 5-on-5 and spent time putting in the offense.''

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade says no rift with coach

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and guard Dwyane Wade moved Monday to close the book on any notion the two aren't on the same page amid a five-game losing streak.

``I don't have a problem with Coach at all,'' Wade said after Monday's practice. ``Of course, when you're losing, someone is going to look to find a way to make it seem like hell is starting inside Miami. And it's not. Actually, for a five-game losing streak, we've been pretty calm.''

The patch-the-wounds process Monday came two days after Wade expressed concerns about the offense and whether Spoelstra had enough trust in players to alter the style after Saturday's 95-91 loss at Chicago.

Miami Heat shakes up starting lineup

A lineup shakeup could be in store for the Miami Heat for Wednesday's season opener against New York.

Udonis Haslem, a starter the past five seasons at power forward, was told by the coaching staff he would have to accept a new role off the bench as Michael Beasley's backup at the position.