The ball falls between San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) as guard Tony Parker (9) looks on during the second half in Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals on Thursday, June 5, 2014 in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Mario Chalmers said his ball-handling responsibilities — always less than the traditional point guard — have been reduced somewhat in these playoffs, to the point where he is “just trying to figure out where I fit in right now.”

Regardless, the Miami Heat needs a more efficient, productive Chalmers than the one who was turnover- and foul-prone in Game 1 of the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

“Everybody knew I was frustrated with the foul trouble I got into early,” the former Kansas University standout said Friday. “When I got back in the game, I was trying to press too much. I’ve got to be more patient in my pick and rolls, and try to find more gaps.”

Limited to 17 minutes by foul trouble, Chalmers committed five turnovers and finished with one assist and 3 points. Tony Parker, who was outscored by Chalmers in the final two games of last year’s Finals, thoroughly outplayed him Thursday, with 19 points and twice as many assists (eight) as turnovers.

“I’ve got to be careful with my touch fouls,” Chalmers said. “I get a lot of touch fouls; got to figure out a way to adjust to the referees.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Chalmers “needs to be more attentive to technique and (quicker) in his thought process.”

Chalmers’ 2.3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in the postseason is slightly better than his regular-season ratio, but his scoring average is down from 9.8 to 6.8. By comparison, he averaged 11.3 and 9.4 points in the past two postseasons.

That is largely a result of taking fewer shots. Chalmers averaged 9.0 field-goal attempts per game during the Heat’s 2011-12 title run and 8.0 last postseason.

During these playoffs, that number has plunged to 5.8. Chalmers is shooting well from three-point territory (40.5 percent) but has taken only 37, compared with 92 and 68 over the previous two postseasons.

“The shot is always open, so you’re supposed to shoot those shots,” he said. But “I’ve got to keep my teammates involved.”

Chalmers said there is “nothing injury-wise, nothing personal” that’s affecting him, but he indicated he’s still adjusting to a subtle change that Spoelstra made.

“I don’t think I’m handling as much as I was (in) previous playoffs,” he said. “But it’s something coach made an adjustment to. I’ve got to figure out a way to be effective.”

Shane Battier reiterated Thursday that when Chalmers “plays well, we play well. When he takes care of the ball, we’re a markedly better team. Turnovers were an issue (for him in Game 1). There wasn’t the crispness we needed. Against Parker, when you are not dialed in, it makes for a long night.”