Heat still about a week away from Shaq’s return

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Heat are scheduled to host the Spurs on January 20, 2006 at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Spurs have won seven of 10 and 10 of the last 14 contests in this series. Miami has lost seven straight at San Antonio and is 1-17 all-time on the road against the Spurs.

Miami’s only win at San Antonio was on December 23, 1996.

Shaq is still sidelined with an ankle injury and has not played since November 3rd, when the Heat lost to the Indiana Pacers, 105-102, in front of their home crowd. Miami is 9-7 without its dominant center.

O’Neal;, though, has begun practicing with the team and could return at some point next weekend.

Miami plays the finale of a five-game road trip and enters tonight’s game on a two-game losing streak. The Heat are 2-2 on the current swing. On Monday, Elton Brand finished with 37 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers over the Heat, 99-89, at Staples Center.

Dwyane Wade scored 29 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss to the Clippers for Miami, while center Alonzo Mourning put up 17 points and pulled down 12 boards for the Heat, who have lost four of their last seven contests overall.

The Heat are 3-6 as the visitor this season. They return home on Friday to host Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets.