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MIAMI – The Miami Heat has not recovered since LeBron James earned his free agent status in the summer of 2014.
James once again showed the Heat what they lacked, 51 points behind Miami in the Los Angeles Lakers' 113-97 win on Sunday night.
It was the fourth consecutive home defeat for Miami, an embarrassing series that the Heat (6-10) will try to break Tuesday, when visiting the Brooklyn Nets (7-10).
The Nets play better on the road (4-6) than Miami (3-6) at home this season.
But just as the Heat were shaken by James' decision, Brooklyn was lost in a downward spiral since the 2013 Nets deal, which sent three first-round selections to the Boston Celtics for aging and missing stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry.
More recently, the Nets have been seriously injured. Caris LeVert (6-7), shot keeper, broke his right foot on November 12 and will likely be away for several months.
LeVert leads the Nets in scoring (18.4 points per game) and has already produced seven games with at least 20 points so far this season.
"Whenever you lose your best player, it's going to be a disappointment," Spencer Dinwiddie, the Brooklyn playmaker, said. "But we have a lot of talent in our locker room.Our season did not end because he was injured.
"It's our brother, we hurt him, but we'll keep playing until he comes back."
The Heat hopes to have some players back soon. Starting goaltender Goran Dragic missed Sunday's loss to the Lakers because of a right knee injury. The backup goalie, Dwyane Wade, a legend who will play his last season in the NBA, missed seven consecutive games while he was on extended paternity leave.
It is possible that Wade will return to face the Nets, which would be a big boost.
Sunday's Heat has become a little healthier with striker James Johnson starting in the season. He had gone out after a hernia operation.
But Dragic's injury is based on the Heat's desire to compete for the playoffs. He missed two games, played four games and was eliminated against the Lakers.
"He's sore and a little swollen," said Heat's coach, Erik Spoelstra, about Dragic. "His knee did not respond to what we hoped for."
The Heat might consider an extended rest for Dragic to be right. Maybe reserve guard Tyler Johnson could intervene in the absence of Dragic. Wade could help too.
Miami will be tested to the point since D & # 39; Angelo Russell, who has an average of 17.2 and 5.5 assists, could take advantage of Dragic's departure. Dinwiddie, Brooklyn's point guard, is the Nets' third-highest scorer with 14.6 points.
Brooklyn's third-best goaltender is Heat's former draft pick, Shabazz Napier, who averages 7.7 points.
The Nets, who have lost four of their last five games, would like to avenge a home defeat against 120-107 suffered against the Heat last Wednesday. Tyler Johnson led Miami with 24 points in that game and Dragic added 21.
Brooklyn had no starting center, Jarrett Allen, who will be available this time.
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