"The Miami Heat's swinging door at point guard has again swung in Carlos Arroyo's direction.

Replaced as the team's starting point guard upon Rafer Alston's free-agent arrival on Jan. 8, Arroyo was back in the starting lineup Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers at AmericanAirlines Arena, his 15th start of the season and first since a Jan. 6 home loss to the Boston Celtics.

Alston had started in all 25 of his appearances prior to Thursday.

"It happens. It's the NBA and nothing surprises you. Just when you think you've seen it all, something else comes your way in this league and that's just the way it's gone," said Alston, who similarly had fallen to third string with the New Jersey Nets earlier this season, before arranging a buyout from the NBA's cellar-dwellers.

"At times, it's how you handle it that defines you. I've been able to overcome plenty of obstacles. I don't really see this one as one. I think this one is just us searching for a better rhythm, especially going down the stretch here."

Entering Thursday's game, the Heat had gone 12-13 with Alston starting, 7-7 with Arroyo starting and 11-11 with Mario Chalmers starting the season's first 22 games, after starting all 82 games last season as a rookie.

Coach Erik Spoelstra said his preference is to keep Chalmers in a reserve role.

"The one thing about Mario right now, I like the role that he's in, because he can come in at two spots, and that versatility," Spoelstra said. "You need that more with your bench than you need with the starters.""