Coverage begins at 7:30 pm on Sun Sports
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TONIGHT’S BROADCAST IS PRESENTED IN HIGH DEFINITION

HEAT Fans, welcome back to 2009-10 Miami HEAT basketball on Sun Sports - presented by Miccosukee Resort and Gaming. Tonight Dwyane Wade and the HEAT (5-1) welcome Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards (2-5) to AmericanAirlines Arena!

In their last outing on Friday night, the HEAT defeated Denver 96-88, knocking the Nuggets from the ranks of the undefeated. In the first quarter both teams played close with the HEAT clinging to a 23-21 lead, despite Carmelo Anthony’s 12 points. With the score tied at 33, the HEAT went on a 17-5 run in last 5:48 of the second period to gain a 50-38 advantage. After the break, the HEAT kept pouring on the points, starting the third on a 24-8 scoring binge. They shot 68.8% for the quarter and amassed a 28-point lead, their largest of the game. The final period saw the Nuggets cut the lead down to eight, but at that point a HEAT victory was already in the books. Wade led the HEAT with 22 points, Jermaine O’Neal contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Mario Chalmers finished with 16 points including four three-pointers. Anthony led the Nuggets with 30 points.

In tonight’s matchup against Washington – the second of four meetings this season - Miami faces a Wizards team looking to snap a four-game losing streak but played a tough, physical and hard-fought game in their most recent meeting, a 93-89 HEAT victory last Wednesday in the nation’s capital. Arenas leads his team with 24.4 points per game this season, returning to full strength as he missed a majority of the past two seasons to knee surgery. Caron Butler, a 6 ft - 7inch scoring forward is no stranger to South Beach, having spent his first two seasons in Miami before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. Former Villanova guard Randy Foye is averaging 16.5 points in two games as a starter. The Wizards will be without veterans Antawn Jamison (shoulder) and F Mike Miller (shoulder).

Emmy-nominated host and reporter Jason Jackson will shine the Sun Sports Spotlight on co-captain Udonis Haslem who is adjusting nicely to his role as the finisher off the bench. His scoring has improved to 11.8 points per game and is averaging 10 rebounds per game as well.

Today the U.S. Marine Corps celebrates their 234th birthday. Sun Sports will honor and show appreciation for all their dedicated service by paying special tributes to the Marines throughout the show. Jax will challenge a Marine during the Marine Pull-Up Challenge. HEAT play-by-play announcer Eric Reid and color analyst Tony Fiorentino will be joined by a high-ranking Marine officer at the table for start of 2nd quarter. The BP Invigorate poll question asks you about the most famous Marines from the sporting world. You might be surprised by some of the answers.

At halftime we will show you over 100 men and women being sworn into the Marines and explain the Miami HEAT Home Strong initiative.

Jax will interview a new Marine who took the oath of enlistment moments before. We will also have military greetings from Miami HEAT Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, Wade, Haslem and Beasley.

Don’t forget the HEAT Live postgame show where Jax will interview a Marine recruiter along with game recaps and highlights!

You don’t want to miss a moment of the action on Sun Sports.

Check out your Miami HEAT on Sun Sports all season long! The next HEAT broadcast on Sun Sports will be Saturday, November 14th against Devin Harris and the New Jersey Nets at AmericanAirlines Arena. Gametime is 7:30 pm!