Shane Battier has returned to the Heat.

Battier is now a member of the team’s front office, assuming the newly created role of director of basketball development and analytics. The Heat announced the move Thursday, describing Battier’s new job as one where he will develop analytics to evaluate talent — including college players, free agents and members of the existing roster.

“We feel he will help us tremendously with his experience and knowledge of the game,” Heat President Pat Riley said. “Shane is an out-of-the-box thinker and will bring a fresh expertise that can help us evolve as a franchise.”

Battier played 13 seasons in the NBA, the last three of those in Miami, and helped the Heat win championships in 2012 and 2013.

Celtics G Isaiah Thomas scored 29 points in a 104-103 loss to the Bulls on Thursday, giving him a team-record 41 straight games with at least 20 points. John Havlicek set the old mark during the 1971-72 season. AP