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Heat play first game under interim coach Rothstein

Jan 3, 2007 - 9:23 PM LA Clippers (14-17) at Miami (13-17) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Miami Heat have had to deal with injuries to their two superstar players. Now their superstar coach needs to take a break as well.

Pat Riley announced on Wednesday that he will take an indefinite leave of absence for health issues.

Riley, who also serves as the team president, will undergo right knee surgery on Friday and is also expected to undergo hip surgery.

Assistant Ron Rothstein will take over as coach of the defending NBA champions in Riley's absence.

Rothstein was the Heat's inaugural coach in 1998. He rejoined the franchise as an assistant in 2003.

Miami is off to a 13-17 start and trails Milwaukee by 2 1/2 games for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The absence of Shaquille O'Neal has plenty to do with that. The 13-time All-Star center underwent surgery on his left knee in November and has only played three games this season.

The Heat hope to get Dwyane Wade back on Wednesday. The star guard has missed Miami's last two games with a right wrist injury.

The Heat, who have lost both games in Wade's absence, have dropped three straight overall. Miami was blown out, 98-67, in their latest loss on Saturday to the Orlando Magic. Jason Kapono led the inept Heat offense, which shot only 34 percent from the floor, with 15 points.

The point total was the lowest since Miami's season opener when they lost, 108-66, to the Chicago Bulls on October 31.

The Clippers opened a six-game road trip with a 91-86 loss at Orlando on Tuesday, which dropped their road mark to 2-11 this season.

Corey Maggette, who is averaging 15.2 points per game, led the Clippers with 20 points while Elton Brand added 15 points.