D-Fenders douse the Flash

LOS ANGELES -- Sean Banks scored 30 points to lead the Los Angeles D-Fenders to their fifth consecutive victory over the Utah Flash, 96-87, in NBA Development League action at the STAPLES Center on Tuesday.

Los Angeles improved to 26-11 with its fifth consecutive victory over Utah. The Flash dropped to 18-20 and equaled their longest losing streak of the season at three.

Utah was down 69-67 at the end of the third quarter, and despite being outscored 29-18 in the final period, the Flash were down just three points with 55 seconds to play but couldn't close the deal and dipped to 5-13 on the road.

Utah Jazz assignee Kyrylo Fesenko recorded his second straight double-double, finishing with 16 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in the Flash defeat. Gabe Pruitt, on assignment from the Boston Celtics, led Utah scorers with 23 points and Jazz assignee Morris Almond followed with 16. Lamar Rice and Kevin Kruger each had 12 for the Flash.

Darren Cooper came off the Los Angeles bench to hit three 3-pointers and score 16. Brian Chase and former Flash forward Brandon Wallace rounded out D-Fender double-figure scorers with 11 points each. Jelani McCoy had 10 rebounds for Los Angeles and Wallace gathered eight.

The Flash continue a five-game span of playing the top two teams in the West Division when the Idaho Stampede visit the McKay Events Center in Orem on Thursday and Saturday. Both games tip at 7 p.m. MT.

Heat scouting for Wade's replacement

MIAMI -- A day after the Heat confirmed Dwyane Wade would miss the final 21 games for extensive knee treatment, coach Pat Riley took a long and short view on the type of team the star guard might return to next season.

Riley on Tuesday addressed his team's immediate and future options as it looks to finish out a disastrous season before it reloads this summer to get back into playoff contention.

For now, the Heat (11-51) plans to add another player to its injury-riddled roster as it limps into Wednesday's home game against the New York Knicks (18-46).

Riley, who also is team president, hopes to fill a perimeter void created by Wade's absence, and could sign a swingman to a 10-day contract as soon as Wednesday. The Heat is thin at guard and small forward, where Wade, Dorell Wright (knee surgery) and Marcus Banks (hamstring) are sidelined.

"We're looking at the list right now and what kind of player we need," said Riley, whose team did not practice Tuesday because it had only six healthy players. "It's a good opportunity to bring guys in on a 10-day contract and take a good look."

There are a few intriguing prospects who fit Riley's preference for a swingman who is long, athletic, a solid defender and capable of shooting from three-point range. Former first-round picks Julius Hodge, Gerald Green and DerMarr Johnson are available.

Hodge, a 6-7 guard, was selected by Denver with the 20th pick in 2005 and also played briefly with Milwaukee. Hodge has averaged 26.3 points in three games since he joined the NBA Development League's Albuquerque affiliate this month.

Green, a 6-8 forward and the 18th pick in 2005, bounced from Boston to Minnesota to Houston. The Rockets waived Green, the 2007 dunk champion, last week.

Johnson, a 6-9 forward and the sixth overall pick in 2000, has averaged 17.3 points and shot 39.5 percent from three-point range for the NBADL's Austin, Texas, team.

Or, the Heat could revisit former training camp and early season prospects, such as guard Brian Chase or forwards Marcus Slaughter and Luke Jackson.

None of the short-term roster options would appear to compromise the Heat's long-term rebuilding plans. For the first time since this season went steeply south, Riley identified the specific group of players he expects will make up the core of next season's team.

That group included Wade, Shawn Marion, Udonis Haslem,Dorell Wright and Daequan Cook. In addition to a likely top-three lottery pick, Riley said the Heat would round out that nucleus with free agents brought in this summer using the team's projected $6 million mid-level exception and $2 million bi-annual veterans exception.

"I definitely think we can be a playoff team -- with Shawn, myself, Dwyane coming back, Dorell being healthy and bringing in another couple of pieces," Haslem said Tuesday. "I'm not looking past this year, because we have to finish, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get everyone back together healthy and see what we really have."

Riley did not mention guards Jason Williams and Ricky Davis, both free agents this summer, or guard Marcus Banks and center Mark Blount, each of whom is under contract for at least two more seasons, among the core that is most likely to return next season.

"It's time to start over again," Riley said, who referred to the Feb. 6 trade of Shaquille O'Neal as the start of a two-year retooling process that could leave the Heat with major salary-cap space in the summer of 2009.

"It's not quick. It's not something we have to do desperately. But you can bring the pieces back together in one year to be very competitive."

A busy summer could be a prelude to a significant turnaround next season for the Heat, which owns the league's worst record and is in the best position to land the No. 1 pick in the June draft.

Riley plans to be in Kansas City later this week to scout Kansas State forward Michael Beasley, considered the top prospect if he declares for the draft.

But Riley sounded Tuesday as if he would keep all options open should the Heat win the draft lottery. But even if the Heat falls a few slots, Boston is a recent example of a team that cashed in after a disappointing lottery outcome. The Celtics had the league's second-worst record last season, but ended up with the fifth pick. That pick became the key chip in the megatrade for Kevin Garnett, who has led Boston to the NBA's best record.

"You can turn that pick into three players if you want, probably, if you didn't like who was at the top of the list," Riley said of trade possibilities. "That's what the No. 1 pick does. It gives you a piece of property that's very valuable. As far as rebuilding the team quickly, the assets are there. The opportunities are there."