After missing time because of a virus and related complications, Heat center Alonzo Mourning said it would take some time before he returned to the form he played at for the first three games of the season.

With two consecutive impressive games against the Clippers and SuperSonics, it seems like now is that time.

Mourning had 21 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes against the Clippers then followed that up with 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in 42 minutes against Seattle.

"He looks like he's just getting more and more energy and playing the game now a little bit like he played early in the season when he was fresh, rested," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "I don't think there's any doubt that those eight or nine days of getting over the virus took its toll. But in the Clipper game and the Seattle game, we saw some flashes of him very aggressive offensively and blocking shots, and I just hope he can sustain that."

He held a strong pace for the first three games of the season, before sustaining a virus he originally thought was food poisoning. In that stretch, he led the Heat in scoring and rebounding in each game, averaging 21.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Though his recent numbers are similar to those of the early season, Mourning said two games is not enough to judge his level of play.

"Not at all," Mourning said. "I just have to continue to focus on trying to raise the minutes that I am out there and raise the level of the play of the team."