This is not a knock against the Miami Heat when I say this, but it has to?feel real bad?to be them right now; first you lose Shaquille O’Neal to the Phoenix Suns – although they did get Shawn Marion – then you lose 6, yes count them, 6 players to injuries of one sort or another and other reasons?- including the franchise, Dwyane Wade.? That folks is a recipe for a floundering team that’s clearly in rebuilding mode.? The Heat only suited up 7 players against the Golden State Warriors, and the end result expolited that weakness as Golden?State destroyed Miami 134-99 Friday night at American Airlines Arena.

Golden State’s Stephen Jackson drained a trio of 3-pointers in a span of 2:09 of the first quarter, which set the tone for the massacre that was going to commence?against the Heat; he and Al Harrington each connected on 4 treys in the first half alone, and as a result, Golden State methodically built up a 63-51 lead at halftime.? The Warriors sealed the deal in the third quarter, outscoring the Heat 37-22 in the period and stretching their insurmountable lead to 100-73.? The Heat were toast from that point on.

Golden State had 6 players in double-digits, led by Jackson with 22 points – including 5 three-pointers – 7 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal while Al Harrington from off the bench scored 17 – including 5 treys – ?with 5 rebounds; Monta Ellis added 16 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot, while Baron Davis and Mickael Pietrus each pitched in with 15 – with Davis grabbing 2 rebounds, dishing out 10 assists and a steal, while Pietrus grabbed 9 boards, dished?out an assist and had 2 steals.

Miami was led by Marcus Banks and Chris Quinn?with 20 points apiece – with Banks grabbing 3 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists and a blocked shot, while Quinn grabbed a rebound, dished out 2 assists along with a steal.? Udonis Haslem and Shawn Marion chipped in with 17 each – with Haslem grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out an assist, with a steal and a blocked shot, while Marion grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 2 assists with a steal and 2 blocked shots; Ricky Davis grabbed 12 boards in a losing effort.? Golden State (38-23) now travels north to Orlando to face the Magic Saturday night, while Miami (11-48) makes the short trip to Atlanta to take on the Hawks – also on Saturday night.