On second thought, Heat guard Dwyane Wade isn't quite ready to relinquish his scoring title just yet.

After scoring a season-high 40 points in 43 minutes during Wednesday's road win against Washington, Wade said he accepts the fact he might have to pour in the points again this season for the Heat to be successful.

Wade led the league in scoring when he averaged a career-high 30.2 points per game last season to lead the Heat to a 43-39 finish and a first-round playoff appearance against Atlanta.

In Miami's four wins this season, Wade averaged 30.7 points. He scored 23 in the Heat's loss. Those numbers led Wade to some conclusions about the scoring race.

``I'm going to be right back up there again,'' Wade said. ``Don't worry.''

Wade likely will have to ratchet up his offense again Friday, when Carmelo Anthony and the up-tempo Denver Nuggets (5-0) visit AmericanAirlines Arena.

Whereas Wade and Cleveland forward LeBron James already have won league scoring titles, Anthony could be on his way to becoming the third member of that 2003 draft class to become a NBA scoring champion.

Anthony has had two 40-point games this season, and his 32 points-per-game average ranks second behind Kobe Bryant.

For the second time in three games, the Heat will attempt to slow down the league's highest-scoring team.

Miami lost to Phoenix on Tuesday, but held the Suns 13 points below their season average. The Nuggets have since moved past the Suns and are averaging 115 points.

``He's aggressive, and he's put that team on his back early,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said of Anthony's recent assault on the league. ``I read where he lost 15 or 20 pounds. He also has a different definitiveness to his attack.''

PEER PRESSURE

Peer pressure could push Wade into an offensive shootout with Anthony. Wade, who reached the 10,000-point career scoring mark Sunday, has said he would like to score less and defer more to teammates this season.

But the coaching staff isn't giving him much incentive to slow down.

``When I scored my 10,000th point the other night, [assistant] Bob McAdoo told me it only took him four seasons to get there,'' said Wade, who is in his seventh season. ``He asked what took so long.''

Heat forward Udonis Haslem said he continues to be amazed at how quickly and easily Wade gets to 30 points during a game.

He wouldn't be surprised to see Wade repeat as scoring champion despite his initial preference to scale back.

``I can't imagine having to score 30 points every night,'' Haslem said. ``I scored 19 the other night and I've been tired ever since. That tells you the kind of dominant player he is every night.''

INJURY UPDATE

Heat shooting guard Daequan Cook (shoulder) remains questionable after missing three consecutive games.

Point guard Mario Chalmers (calf contusion) is expected to play after receiving treatment Thursday.

Chalmers was kicked on his left leg in the first quarter Wednesday against Washington on a layup attempt.

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