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Long road trip continues for Heat against Kings

Jan 9, 2009 - 11:45 AM Miami (18-16) at Sacramento (8-28) 10:00 p.m. EST

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- The Miami Heat get a momentary pause in a tough stretch of games Friday when they visit the lowly Sacramento Kings.

The Heat have dropped three of their last four games, suffering losses against the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets, all of whom lead their respective divisions.

Despite Dwyane Wade's 31 points and 25 and 13 rebounds from Shawn Marion, Miami opened its season-long, seven-game road trip on Wednesday with a 108-97 setback to the Nuggets, who were without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony due to a broken right hand.

The Heat, who won five of their final six games in December, played porous defense throughout and even used a zone in the second half.

"Just a horrible defensive effort," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "All the progress we made in three weeks seemed non-existent."

The Heat's defense should get back on track against the Kings, who have lost four games in a row and 10 of their last 11.

Sacramento has failed to eclipse 100 points nine times over that span, including a 99-94 setback against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

The Kings shot 51 percent (36-of-71) from the floor but lost the battle of the boards, 42-35, and turned the ball over 19 times.