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Nets, Heat bring struggling offenses to IZOD Center

Nov 17, 2007 - 2:32 PM Miami (1-8) at New Jersey (4-5) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- While the return of Dwyane Wade has yet result in a win for the Miami Heat, he has certainly displayed some much-needed punch to the offense.

Wade and the Heat travel to the IZOD Center on Saturday to meet the New Jersey Nets.

Miami is averaging an NBA-low 85.4 points and is mired in a three-game losing streak.

A three-time All-Star selection, Wade missed the start of the season following knee and shoulder surgery, but returned Wednesday against Seattle and scored 15 points in 24 minutes of the 104-95 loss.

On Friday, he scored 23 points in 38 minutes in his first start but the Heat fell 92-91 to the undefeated Boston Celtics. Wade missed a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds.

Miami's offensive struggles without Wade pale in comparison to that of the Nets rec who have dropped four straight and scored just 69 and 70 points, respectively, in their last two losses against Boston and Orlando. New Jersey has been without forward Vince Carter, who has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle.

On Friday, Jason Kidd collected 11 points, 10 assists and a career-high 19 rebounds as the Nets dropped a 95-70 decision to Orlando. It was Kidd's 89th career triple-double.