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Heat look for continued success against skidding Jazz

Jan 13, 2007 - 5:33 PM Miami (16-19) at Utah (24-12) 9:00 pm EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- As a member of the Miami Heat, Shaquille O'Neal has had plenty of success against the Utah Jazz. However, he will not be in the lineup on Saturday.

With O'Neal cleared to practice but not to play, Miami aims for its sixth straight victory against the Jazz on Saturday.

Since acquiring O'Neal, the Heat have won five straight against Utah, dating to January 15, 2004. Last season, Miami won both games against the Jazz in Pat Riley's first season back as coach.

However, this season, without O'Neal and Riley - who took a leave of absence from the team for medical reasons - the Heat will rely on superstar Dwyane Wade.

Miami coasted to its third consecutive win, a 118-96 triumph over Golden State on Friday as Wade was just one assist shy from collecting a triple-double.

Last season's NBA Finals MVP, Wade has been rolling in three games since returning from the injury that sidelined him for five contests. He is averaging 28.0 points and 8.3 assists during his hot streak.

The Jazz hope to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season.

Utah was beaten by another superstar in a 122-114 overtime loss to Seattle on Friday. Ray Allen scored a career-high 54 points against the Jazz.