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Struggling Heat take on first-place Magic

Nov 24, 2006 - 3:47 PM Orlando (8-4) at Miami (4-7) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Miami Heat are not playing like defending champions, especially without Shaquille O'Neal.

The Heat hope to avoid their fourth straight loss at home on Friday when they take on the surprising Orlando Magic.

Miami has not played well since losing O'Neal for four to six weeks to a knee injury one week ago. The 13-time All-Star needed knee surgery and has left a considerable void in the middle.

The defending champions have gone 1-3 without their future Hall of Fame center, being outscored by an average of 13.5 points and shooting 38.3 percent in those contests.

On Wednesday, Dwyane Wade scored 18 points and handed out six assists for Miami, which dropped a 106-86 decision to the San Antonio Spurs for its fifth loss in its last six contests.

The Magic have been going in the other direction, securing the best record in the Southeast Division. Jameer Nelson scored 22 points and Darko Milicic scored nine of his 11 in the decisive fourth quarter as Orlando posted a 96-91 triumph over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Coming off consecutive 20-20 games, Dwight Howard had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Grant Hill scored 14 points for the Magic, who shot 49 percent (34-of-69) from the field.

The teams split their four meetings last season, but the Orlando has won just two of its last 12 games with the Heat. Wade averaged 30.5 points in the four contests against Orlando last season.