Miami takes win streak into Charlotte

Charlotte has lost eight of its last 10 games, including Friday’s 90-76 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Gerald Wallace had 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Bobcats, who have dropped three of four overall and fell to 6-26 on the road this season. Charlotte also finished 2-4 on their recent road trip.

Now, the Bobcats will return home in hopes of ending a three-game losing streak on their own court. They are 10-18 as the host in 2005-06.

Charlotte is expected to be without center Emeka Okafor (ankle) and rookie forward Sean May (knee surgery) for tonight’s game.

Miami, meanwhile, could get All-Star guard Dwyane Wade back after he missed Saturday’s 95-93 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Wade is hampered with a sprained wrist, but the Heat didn’t need him in overcoming a 17-point deficit against the Hawks.

Derek Anderson recorded 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter in his Miami debut at AmericanAirlines Arena. Shaquille O’Neal had 21 points and eight rebounds before fouling out for Miami, which extended their season-long winning streak to eight games.

Miami, which will open a five-game homestand after Monday’s game, has won three straight on the road and is 16-14 away from South Beach this season.

This is the third of four meetings this season between Miami and Charlotte. The Heat posted a 108-99 win at home on November 12, then notched a 91-85 triumph at Charlotte Bobcats Arena on January 27.

Miami has won three straight and five of the six meetings and will host the Bobcats again on March 24.