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Los Angeles Lakers (32-17) at Miami Heat (9-39), 3:30 p.m.

(Sports Network) - A pair of teams with new looks meet today, as the Miami Heat try to put the brakes on a six-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Lakers at AmericanAirlines Arena.

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Lakers are scheduled to host the Heat on February 28th at the Staples Center.

The teams have split the last four contests in the series. The Lakers have lost three straight and four of their last five at Miami.

Miami is expected to have newly-acquired forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks in uniform for today's contest. On Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns made a bold move to bolster their frontcourt when they acquired 14-time All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal from the Heat in exchange for Marion and Banks.

The 6-foot-7 Marion is a four-time All-Star and is averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 rebounds this season. He had played each of his nine NBA seasons with Phoenix, which selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. Marion, 29, owns career averages of 18.4 points and 10.0 rebounds in 660 games. He's earning $16.4 million this season, but has the ability to opt out of the $17 million final year of his contract after this year.

Banks, 26, is averaging 5.2 points and 1.0 assists per game.

The Heat play the first of a two-game homestand. On Thursday, Andre Iguodala scored 25 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated Miami, 101-84, at the Wachovia Center.

Dwyane Wade ended with 19 points and nine assists for the woeful Heat, who have lost 11 straight on the road, 21 of 22 overall and are an NBA worst 9-39 this season. Dorell Wright netted 16 and pulled down 10 rebounds, while Mark Blount collected 15 points and 10 boards.

Miami is 5-19 at home this season. The Heat will host Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Los Angeles, which made a big move when it acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis on February 1st, plays the seventh of a nine-game road trip against Miami. On Friday, Kobe Bryant scored 36 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out six assists as the Lakers edged Orlando, 117-113, at Amway Arena.

Gasol added 30 points and nine boards for the Lakers, who are 4-2 on the swing. Veteran guard Derek Fisher finished with 14 points and seven assists in the victory.

The Lakers will visit Charlotte on Monday and Minnesota on Wednesday in the finale of the swing. They are a solid 15-10 on the road this season.


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