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Sixers look to hand Heat 11th straight defeat

Feb 23, 2008 - 2:40 PM Philadelphia (24-32) at Miami (9-43) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Philadelphia 76ers are clinging to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat are simply the worst team in the NBA.

The Heat will be looking to snap their current 10-game losing streak when they host the 76ers on Saturday.

Miami has won just once in its last 26 games, but has shown some signs of life on the offensive end of late, eclipsing the 100-point barrier twice in the past three games after failing to reach the century mark in its previous 20 contests.

The surge in offensive production has coincided with the arrival of forward Shawn Marion, who is averaging 19.8 points and 12.2 rebounds in four games with the Heat. He had 18 points and 10 rebounds on Thursday as Miami suffered a 112-100 defeat at Houston.

The Heat are just 5-21 at home this season, and have not won at American Airlines Arena since topping the Indiana Pacers, 98-96, on January 26.

Philadelphia fell, 115-99, at Orlando on Friday and now holds just a percentage points lead over the Atlanta Hawks (22-30) for the final playoff spot in the East. Despite the setback, the Sixers have won six of their last eight games

Philadelphia has won both meetings between the teams this season, including a 101-84 blowout on February 7. Andre Iguodala has scored a combined 53 points in the two victories.