Mashburn

"You enjoy it for about five minutes," he said. "I don't put much too stock into this one. We've got a long way to go, but hopefully I'll have more of these."

Mashburn scored 29 points, a career playoff high, and led the Heat to a 95-85 victory over the Detroit Pistons in their playoff opener Saturday.

The 6-foot-8 swingman sparked the Heat from the start, driving repeatedly to draw fouls and scoring 11 points in the first quarter. Later he began to drain outside jumpers, including a pair of 3-pointers. He had five assists and even played a little point guard to help fill in for Tim Hardaway, sidelined by a foot injury.

"I think you all see the greatness in Jamal," coach Pat Riley said. "There comes a time when a guy steps up, and he stepped up today."

Mashburn's potential for greatness has been largely unrealized since he came to Miami in a trade in February 1997. Because of injuries, inconsistency and a tendency to play poorly in the clutch, he has developed a reputation as an underachiever.

Mashburn is only 27, but if the Heat make a quick exit from the playoffs, he's considered the player most likely to be traded.

"I know the type of player I'm supposed to be, and I just keep pushing to get better," he said. "I'm going to have to do a lot in this series."

He rose to the occasion in the absence of Hardaway, giving Miami an offensive alternative to Alonzo Mourning.

"We brought Mash here to do exactly what he did today," Mourning said. "Injuries are what held him back. Once he gets it going, he's tough."

Mashburn, who began the series with a career playoff average of just 9.6 points, hit 10 of 17 shots. He also tied a season high by going 7-for-8 at the free-throw line, a reflection of his willingness to drive to the basket against defender Grant Hill.

As a result, Hardaway was hardly missed.