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Heat try to avoid third straight loss, face Hawks

Mar 26, 2007 - 2:13 PM Atlanta (27-44) at Miami (37-32) 7:30 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Miami Heat look to avoid a third straight loss Monday when they face the Atlanta Hawks.

After reeling off a nine-game winning streak, the Heat have dropped three of their last four contests. Their last two defeats have come against Indiana and Philadelphia.

With the losses, the Heat have squandered an opportunity to pass Washington (37-31) for first place in the Southeast Division. They are one-half game behind the Wizards, who also have lost their last two contests.

On Saturday, Miami jumped out to a 30-13 lead after one quarter but failed to score 20 points in a period thereafter in a 93-85 home loss to Philadelphia.

Starting a three-game road trip after Monday's game, the Heat will look to continue their dominance against the Hawks.

Miami is 3-0 against Atlanta this season and has won 16 of the last 18 meetings between the teams. The Heat also have beaten the Hawks 10 straight times at home.

The Hawks are coming off Sunday's 104-97 loss to league-leading Dallas. Josh Smith and Josh Childress each scored 21 points to pace the Hawks, who have lost five of their last six games.