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Wade, Heat aim to end three-game slide

Nov 25, 2006 - 2:27 PM Miami (4-8) at Charlotte (3-9) 7:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Coach Pat Riley made some changes to his lineup but the result was still the same. What's next for the defending champions?

The struggling Miami Heat bring their season-worst three-game losing streak to the "Queen City" on Saturday to face the Charlotte Bobcats.

Dwyane Wade had 33 points and a season-best 15 rebounds and Udonis Haslem scored 19 points for Miami in Friday's 107-104 setback to the Orlando Magic. The Heat have just one win in their last seven games.

On Friday, Riley benched veteran starters Gary Payton and Antoine Walker in favor of Dorell Wright and Jason Kapono. Wright and Kapono combined to score 27 points.

Emeka Okafor had 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Bobcats were denied their first chance to win consecutive games this season. losing at Detroit, 104-96.

The second overall pick in 2004, Okafor is tied for seventh in the league with eight double-doubles. He had 16 last year before an ankle injury ended his campaign.

Miami won all four meetings last season, including a 106-105 overtime game here on March 6. The Heat are 7-1 in the all-time series.