"Displeased with the Heat's slow starts, coach Erik Spoelstra shook up the lineup for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rafer Alston is out as the starting point guard. Carlos Arroyo is in. That is the case at least for now.

Alston, the starter since he was signed Jan. 7, was informed hours before the game he would come off the bench behind Arroyo.

``It's the NBA. Nothing surprises you,'' Alston said. ``It's how you handle it that defines you. We'll see how it goes.''

Spoelstra shifted gears in earnest during Tuesday's 110-106 win against Golden State. Alston started but played only seven minutes. He missed his first two shots and had two turnovers before he was replaced by Arroyo, who started the second half and finished with his best game of the season.

Alston revealed that, before he signed, he told Spoelstra and Heat president Pat Riley he preferred to come off the bench. "