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Heat open six-game road trip against explosive Suns

Jan 5, 2007 - 3:19 PM Miami (13-18) at Phoenix (23-8) 10:30 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Miami Heat seek to snap a season-high four-game losing streak when they open a road trip against the explosive Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Interim coach Ron Rothstein guides the team for the second time since being named to replace Pat Riley, who took a medical leave of absence to take care of ongoing knee and hip problems.

Last season's NBA Finals MVP, Dwyane Wade has missed Miami's last three contests with a sprained right wrist and superstar center Shaquille O'Neal has been sidelined for 24 games after knee surgery. The Heat have dropped all five games this season when both are out.

Jason Kapono scored 19 points and Robert Hite added a career-high 16 of the bench for Miami, which allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to shoot nearly 61 percent (46-of-76) from the floor in Wednesday's 110-95 loss.

Since their franchise-record 15-game winning streak from November 20-December 19, Phoenix has won five of seven, including its last four games. The Suns are one of three teams (Dallas and Utah) with fewer than 10 losses this season.

Raja Bell scored 17 points and Steve Nash and Boris Diaw added 15 each for Phoenix, which won for the 13th time in 14 games against Eastern Conference foes with Wednesday's 100-98 triumph over the Toronto Raptors.

The Suns have taken 11 of the last 17 encounters against the Heat, including a 99-89 victory on December 13. Nash collected 18 points and 11 assists.