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(Sports Network) - The Miami Heat kick off a quick two-game homestand Saturday when they welcome the New Jersey Nets to South Beach.
The Heat fell in Central Florida on Friday when Dwight Howard logged his ninth straight double- double against Miami with 15 points and 15 rebounds in support of an 86-76 Magic triumph over the Heat, the 10th straight win for Orlando in the series.
Dwyane Wade, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December earlier in the day, netted a game-high 33 points with seven boards and six assists but was held off the scoreboard for the second straight game in the fourth quarter.
Udonis Haslem chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds while Daequan Cook added 10 points for Miami, which had won five of its last six coming in.
The Nets, meanwhile, won an overtime thriller over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at the IZOD Center when Vince Carter's buzzer-beating three- pointer in the extra frame atoned for a miss that would have won it at the end of regulation, sending New Jersey to a dramatic 93-91 win over the Hawks.
Carter had 18 points with four rebounds and four assists, while Devin Harris notched game-bests of 26 points and 11 assists for New Jersey, which put the brakes on a two-game skid and won for just the third time in the last eight games.
Bobby Simmons chipped in with 12 points and rookie Brook Lopez added seven points and 11 rebounds in the win, the Nets' first in their last five home games.
Miami, which is 11-5 in South Beach this season, has already taken two meetings from New Jersey this season, including a 99-94 win in South Florida on November 10. The Nets have excelled on the road this year, however, compiling an impressive 10-5 record as the visitor.
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