Miami Heat Team Report - January 16

(Basketball News) - The Miami Heat try to stop a four-game losing streak this evening when they continue their six-game road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.

Miami fell to 0-4 on its trek on Thursday with a 97-85 setback to the Utah Jazz. Eddie Jones scored 18 points and Lamar Odom posted 14 for the Heat, who suffered their sixth straight road loss and fell for the fifth time in their last six games overall.

Miami finished the game with more fouls (35) than rebounds (33) and went just 24-for-35 from the free-throw line.

Tonight’s contest will be Odom’s first game against his former team, who did not match the Heat’s $65 million free agent offer this past summer. Odom had a tenuous four years in LA, where he was suspended twice by the league for drugs and was generally described as immature, unprofessional and unable to unlock his considerable potential.

Odom, though, has fit in nicely with Miami and is second on the team in scoring at 16.9 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 9.3 rpg.

The Heat, who will conclude their trip on Sunday in Denver, is 4-18 away from home this season.

Los Angles has beaten the Heat four straight times, but Miami has posted a victory in 11 of the last 16 matchups. The Heat, though, have dropped seven of their last 10 on the road in this series.