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Marion returns to face former team as Heat visit Suns

Nov 28, 2008 - 11:22 AM Miami (7-8) at Phoenix (11-5), 8:00 pm EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Shawn Marion will meet with some old teammates and friends in Phoenix on Friday. Whether he can lead his team to a win is less certain.

Marion will look to help the Miami Heat recover from an embarrassing defeat when they face the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix traded Marion along with Marcus Banks last season in a blockbuster deal that brought Shaquille O'Neal to the Valley of the Sun.

Although O'Neal failed to lead the Suns to a title, his team's prospects are certainly better than Marion's.

Marion spent 8 1/2 seasons with Phoenix after being drafted ninth overall pick by the Suns in 1999. He reportedly had become frustrated with his role as third fiddle to Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, which led to the trade on February 6.

Marion went from one of the best teams in the NBA to the worst, and the Heat still are trying to play their way back to respectability.

That effort took a hit Wednesday when Miami lost, 106-68, at Portland. Dwyane Wade scored a season-low 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting, and the Heat were out-rebounded, 55-28.

Marion missed the loss to attend a family funeral but is expected to be in Phoenix.

The Suns are coming off a 110-102 win at Minnesota on Wednesday in which Nash led the way with 20 points and O'Neal chipped in 18 points and 10 rebounds.

It was the third straight victory for the Suns.