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Shorthanded Heat look to regain first place in Southeast Division

Mar 30, 2007 - 2:00 PM Miami (38-33) at Minnesota (30-41) 8:00 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The shorthanded Miami Heat's stay at the top of the Southeast Division was not a very long one.

After failing to hold on to first place in the division, the Heat aim to regain that standing when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Despite playing without superstar Dwyane Wade (shoulder) and sharpshooter Jason Kapono (ankle), Miami has continued to climb in the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat have relied on legendary center Shaquille O'Neal, who has asserted himself on the interior.

But two nights after collecting 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Atlanta on Monday, the future Hall of Famer scored just 17 points in Miami's 96-83 loss to Atlantic Division-leading Toronto.

With the loss, the Heat dropped to sixth in the East, four games behind fifth-place Chicago (43-30), and one-half game behind Washington (38-32) in the Southeast Division.

The Heat will look to get back on track when they face the Timberwolves, who continue to slide out of playoff contention in the Western Conference.

Minnesota, which has lost two straight, is four games behind the Los Angeles Clippers (34-37) in the battle for the final playoff spot.

On Wednesday, Minnesota suffered a 108-102 loss to Northwest-leading Utah. Kevin Garnett had 25 points and eight rebounds to pace the Timberwolves.

Garnett collected 23 points and 11 rebounds in a 105-91 loss at Miami on March 9.