He simply forgot.

That terrible performance in the Heat's preseason opener two weeks ago essentially has vanished from memory.

Daequan Cook had no recollection of that 0-for-6 effort he turned in from three-point range during the Heat's Oct. 5 exhibition loss at Detroit.

It's a case of amnesia -- real or fake -- that might best reveal Cook's progress entering his third season.

``Who went 0 for 6?'' Cook asked after the Heat's first preseason win, a 97-81 victory Thursday against New Orleans. ``I went 0 for 6 in that game? Man, I didn't even realize it.''

If a shooter's best weapons are an accurate release and a bad memory, Cook is showing both these days.

Cook led the Heat in scoring for the second time in three games when he finished with 15 points off the bench against the Hornets. He averaged 16.3 points off the bench in that stretch.

After missing all six of his threes in Detroit, Cook has made 11 of 20 (55 percent) from deep in his past three games and has been a go-to option in the fourth quarter.

Last season's three-point shooting champion at All-Star Weekend, Cook credits his recent success on offense to a more versatile game.

Cook worked in the offseason to make more plays driving to the basket instead of only spotting up for jumpers.

Coach Erik Spoelstra said Cook is making strides toward becoming a multidimensional threat on offense.

``Coach trusts me with the ball now to be able to make those plays, and I've been making them,'' said Cook, who has played with a sprained right thumb. ``I had to get back on track. I'm not just a spot-up shooter now. It's been a tremendous change.''

NO MORE MISMATCH

Aware of the disadvantage he left his team on offense last season, reserve Heat center Joel Anthony came back intent on being more aggressive on that side of the court.

Practice paid off with a perfect effort from the field when Anthony made all four of his shots for eight points against the Hornets. Anthony, who has 12 blocks in five games, now is having an impact on both ends. He is shooting 61 percent from the field.

``Four on five, that's a big disadvantage,'' Anthony said. ``If people know I'm able to roll . . . catch and finish, it makes the defense play me a bit more honest.''

INJURY UPDATE

Dwyane Wade was treated Friday for a calf bruise and is day-to-day. Jermaine O'Neal (groin), Udonis Haslem (back) and Jamaal Magloire (ankle) will be reevaluated when practice resumes Saturday. . . .

The Heat's next game is Wednesday at home against the Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m.