(My Sportsbook) - The Miami Heat will try and regain their footing tonight when they host the fading Milwaukee Bucks in South Beach.

The idle Heat did regain possession of the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race on Friday and stand one-half game in front of Philadelphia after the Sixers laid an egg against Charlotte.

But, Miami has struggled recently. Most recently, the Heat lost its second straight contest in Chicago on Thursday when John Salmons finished with 27 points, and the playoff-hopeful Chicago Bulls logged a 106-87 win over Miami.

Dwyane Wade had 31 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Heat, who have lost five of their past seven games overall.

Udonis Haslem added 13 points and Jermaine O'Neal 12 in the loss.

The Heat, who have won five in a row at home and are 25-11 in South Beach, will finish a two-game homestand against in-state rival Orlando on March 30.

The Bucks, meanwhile, have all but fallen out of the East playoff hunt after dropping their fourth straight in Orlando last night. Rashard Lewis poured in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in that one, as the Magic handled the Milwaukee, 110-94.

The Bucks were paced by Charlie Bell and Ramon Sessions, who tallied 19 points apiece. Richard Jefferson finished with 13 points and seven rebounds for Milwaukee, which has lost six straight as the visitor and is now 11-26 on the road.

Bucks point guard Luke Ridnour returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors with back spasms. The sixth- year pro played just over 11 minutes and recorded four points.

Milwaukee is now four games behind Detroit and Chicago for the eighth and final spot in the East with just nine games remaining.

These two teams have split a pair of meetings so far this season with each club winning on the other's home floor.