Lakers-Heat Preview

Last week, the Los Angeles Lakers made a trade that potentially made them the team to beat in the Western Conference. The Miami Heat have more modest expectations after pulling off their own blockbuster deal.

After acquiring Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks in exchange for Shaquille O'Neal, the last-place Heat hope to avoid their 22nd loss in 23 games as both newcomers are expected to make their debuts against the new-look Lakers in Miami on Sunday.

With the worst record in the NBA thanks to one of the worst stretches in franchise history, Miami (9-39) shook things up on Wednesday, when it sent O'Neal to Phoenix for Marion and Banks. The Heat lost a 14-time All-Star that helped deliver the franchise's first championship in 2006, but they acquired two pieces for what coach and team president Pat Riley hopes is a quick rebuilding process.

"Today is really about change, it's about moving on, it's about getting on with what's going to happen in the Miami Heat's future," Riley said Wednesday. "And these are two people who are going to start that."

Marion, a four-time All-Star, has career averages of 18.4 points and 10.0 rebounds, and has a reputation as one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. Banks, a fifth-year guard, has seen limited playing time since he was a lottery pick in the 2003 draft, but is expected to see an increased role in Miami.

"The sky's the limit," Marion said of the Heat's potential. "Can't get any worse. We can only get better now."

The Heat will likely need immediate improvement to compete with the Lakers (32-17), who feel they solidified their status as NBA title contenders when they acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis on Feb. 1.

Los Angeles has won two of three games with Gasol, who's averaging 22.0 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 61.4 percent from the field in those games. He had 30 points and nine boards in the Lakers' 117-113 victory over Orlando on Friday night.

"With all (Gasol's) skills, it's going to be a seamless transition for us," said Kobe Bryant, who had 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. "He has the ability to do everything on the floor, whether it's pass, shoot, rebound or defend. Adding him makes us a very strong team."

Bryant had struggled in his previous two games, combining to go 7-for-29 from the field while playing with a dislocated pinkie finger on his right hand, but he appears to be back on track.

"Having Kobe takes a whole lot of pressure off my shoulders," Gasol said. "This is an amazing opportunity for me and I want to make the very best of it every single night."

Marion will have his own superstar teammate in Dwyane Wade. However, Wade is averaging 16.6 points and shooting 37.7 percent from the field in his last five games after averaging 32.6 points in his previous five contests. He went 5-for-17 and had 19 points as Miami fell to 1-21 since Christmas with a 101-84 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.

"I don't look at the standings," Wade said after that game. "I know we are at the bottom."

Wade, though, is encouraged by Wednesday's trade.

"They'll add to our team, that's for sure," he said.