Miami start long road trip on losing note

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Heat are scheduled to host the Suns on January 26th at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Miami has lost two straight and six of its last seven at Phoenix

On Wednesday, Desmond Mason scored 24 points and David West netted 20, as New Orleans/Oklahoma City used a big second quarter to blow past the Heat, 107-92, at the Ford Center.

Dwyane Wade posted his second career triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but he also turned the ball over eight times in the loss to the Hornets for Miami, which had a two-game winning streak halted. Shaquille O’Neal ended with 19 points and nine rebounds, but the Heat couldn’t stop a well-balanced attack for the Hornets.

Jason Williams scored 15 points, making 5-of-9 3-pointers, but the Heat as a team made just 9-of-23 shots from beyond the arc overall.

Wade, whose triple-double was the sixth in franchise history, has been on fire of late and is averaging 28.0 points, 8.0 assists and 6.6 rebounds in his last five games.

Miami, which will also visit Portland, Golden State, Seattle, Utah and the Lakers on its current swing, is just 7-10 away from home this season.