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Stoudemire expected to make return vs. struggling Heat

Nov 9, 2007 - 2:46 PM Phoenix (3-2) at Miami (0-4) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- With All-Star center Amare Stoudemire expected to make his return to the Phoenix Suns after a three-game absence, things may have just gotten a bit tougher for the offensively-challenged Miami Heat.

Stoudemire and the Suns head to American Airlines Arena on Friday to meet the winless Heat.

A two-time All-Star, Stoudemire had arthroscopic surgery on October 2 on his right knee. While he was able to recover in time to post 23 points and 11 rebounds in Phoenix's season opener, he was limited to 24 minutes the next night and has not played since.

The Suns have fared fairly well despite the absence of their star center even though they did suffered a 105-96 setback at the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Two-time MVP Steve Nash is averaging 22.2 points and 8.8 assists while also hitting 55 percent of his 3-point attempts so far.

Phoenix has won four straight games against Miami, sweeping the last two season series.

The Heat, on the other hand, have not played well at all while leading scorer Dwyane Wade has been sidelined. Still recovering from offseason shoulder and knee surgeries, the three-time All-Star has yet to play this season.

With Wade out, Miami has shot just 42 percent from the field and has not received nearly enough production from center Shaquille O'Neal, who is averaging 12.8 points per game this season - half of his career average of 25.9.

The absence of Wade and the struggles of O'Neal have contributed to Miami's league-worst team scoring average of 82.8 points per game.