At a time when he would rather focus exclusively on how the Heat could improve on its 5-1 start, coach Erik Spoelstra on Sunday addressed why starting power forward Michael Beasley has been unable to finish.

Spoelstra has had extended talks with Beasley the past two days, which included a one-on-one workout during the team's day off on Saturday, to discuss why the player's role has been limited.

Beasley, last year's No. 2 overall pick, was named the starter ahead of veteran Udonis Haslem at the beginning of the season. But Beasley's playing time diminished drastically in the second halves of the past three games and he has been a spectator in the fourth quarters of games.

Even amid the team's overall early success, Beasley's playing time has been a polarizing issue outside of the team's locker room. But Spoelstra said he spent exclusive time with Beasley to ensure matters were clear.

``The thing about it is -- the hard thing for fans and media to objectively evaluate, because everybody wants it to happen right now [in] the whole microwave society -- Mike is doing a lot of good,'' Spoelstra said after Sunday's practice. ``But the only story that's told is that he didn't finish the game. He's making progress. I see it. The team sees it. It's helping us win.''

Beasley played 31 minutes in Friday's win against Denver, but he was on the court for barely two minutes in the fourth quarter. It was a similar case in Wednesday's victory at Washington, where only 2 minutes, 38 seconds of Beasley's 24 minutes overall came in the fourth.

ABSENT AT FINISH

He also was absent at the finish of Tuesday's home loss to Phoenix. Beasley has not played more than 10 minutes in the second halves of the past three games.

While Beasley's fluctuating playing time hasn't exactly overshadowed the fact that Miami has matched its best start through six games, it has been a competing topic.

Beasley said he hasn't been discouraged by his lack of playing time late in games. He has been told that his defense, focus and foul trouble have been among the issues.

``I'm just not doing everything I'm supposed to do,'' Beasley said Sunday of his rap sessions with Spoelstra. ``It wasn't a punishment type of conversation. It's not that I'm doing anything bad. It's that I'm not being as productive as I am in the first half. I think lately, I've been playing to [focus on] my offense.''

Beasley scored a season-low seven points on 3-of-8 shooting against the Nuggets. The previous two games, he was limited by foul trouble. Beasley's overall production has dipped slightly since he averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first two games. Teammates and coaches have challenged Beasley to do more in other areas when his offense is off.

``A couple of shots don't drop [and] I get into a funk,'' Beasley said. I've got to forget about my last shot, whether it's made or not.''

Although Beasley has started at power forward, he shifts to small forward once Haslem enters at power forward as part of the normal substitution pattern. Heat guard Dwyane Wade said that when Beasley plays with the second unit, Haslem and shot-blocking backup center Joel Anthony provide security.

``You've got to make sure you put [defensive-minded] people around Mike,'' Wade said.

The Heat's defensive execution has allowed the team to continue to work through some kinks while winning. Miami is ranked among the top five teams in the league in points allowed (90.6), defensive field-goal percentage (41.6) and opponent three-point shooting percentage (24.5).

RISKY DECISIONS

The early success comes after a series of risky -- if not controversial -- personnel decisions the Heat has made since the summer with the starting lineup and rotation.

If the Heat can defeat Washington for the second time in seven days on Tuesday, it would improve to 6-1 for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.

Might Spoelstra have second-guessed the way he has handled Beasley and other moves had the Heat started 1-5 instead of 5-1?

``That's what basketball is,'' Spoelstra said. ``You just hope you are doing things that are consistent with your identity. Guys are starting to buy into what's helping us to win. . . . It's taken a lot of hard work to get to this point. But we know in this league, things can change quickly.''

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