Marion out Friday vs. Magic

Mar 14, 2008 - 11:58 PM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Miami Heat forward Shawn Marion will miss Friday's game vs. the Orlando Magic to rest his sore back.

Alexander Johnson started in place of Marion.

Marion, 29, will dress for the injury-ravaged Heat so they can fulfill the eight-player minimum every team must have to play a game. He has missed just 12 regular-season games in his last seven full seasons.

Miami is also without the services of four-time All-Star guard Dwyane Wade, center Alonzo Mourning and swingman Dorell Wright - who are all out for the season with knee problems - as well as forward Udonis Haslem (ankle), guard Marcus Banks (hamstring) and center Earl Barron (knee).

The four-time All-Star, who was obtained for Shaquille O'Neal in the February 6 trade with the Phoenix Suns, originally hurt his back Monday in a 99-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

In his ninth season, Marion is averaging 15.5 points and 10.2 rebounds in 62 games with the Suns and Heat.