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Kaman, Clippers aim to prolong Heat's misery

Dec 9, 2007 - 2:00 PM Miami (4-14) at LA Clippers (7-11) 3:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Considered a disappointment through four NBA seasons, Chris Kaman has certainly made up for lost time.

Kaman and his Los Angeles Clippers host the floundering Miami Heat on Sunday.

The sixth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, Kaman averaged just 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds in his first four seasons. However, the 7-footer was asked to take on more of the scoring load after forward Elton Brand was lost indefinitely after rupturing his Achilles' over the summer.

Kaman has responded to the challenge, posting averages of 18.8 points and 13.8 boards through 18 games, the latest in which he tied a career-high with 26 points in the Clippers' 97-87 road victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

The win snapped Los Angeles' seven-game losing streak and allowed coach Mike Dunleavy to post his franchise-best 159th win as the Clippers coach.

The Heat appeared well on their way to just their third road win on Friday before the Golden State Warriors used a huge fourth quarter for a 120-113 win. Miami, which was outscored by a lopsided 38-22 in the final period, has lost five straight games.

Not even Dwyane Wade - who scored a season-high 33 points and dished a season-high-tying 10 assists - could help the Heat avoid losing for the 20th time in their last 24 games dating to last season.

Miami is 4-15 for the first time since 2001-02 and have not had a worse start since its inaugural season in the league in 1988-89, when it opened 0-17 and was just 1-18 through 19 games.