The Phoenix Suns got the remedy they needed. Like many other struggling teams have learned this season, one dose of the Miami Heat is all it takes to cure just about any ailment.

The Suns, losers of five straight entering Saturday's game against the Heat, are feeling better today after a 108-74 victory to kick off Miami's four-game West Coast swing.

The Heat? It still hasn't found an antidote for its struggles and seems no closer to doing so. If anything, the losses are becoming more sickening.

``Absolutely atrocious,'' coach Pat Riley said. ``I think the game speaks for itself. Just an absolute awful performance.''

The cure might be massive changes. Riley didn't refer to any specific alterations but said such a performance was ``unacceptable'' and ``we brought these guys down here to win and they can't win. They're not winners.''

Whether that qualifies as an admission that Riley the personnel man built a losing team or whether Miami's roster will be altered remains to be seen.

The loss ranked with Miami's ugliest outings this season. The Heat trailed by 39 at one point during the fourth quarter and exhibited some of its worst offensive play. And the team's marquee players showed little ability to do anything about it.

``This game will make [their] children not want to go to school,'' Riley said.

Guard Eddie Jones, after going 32 games without being held under double digits in scoring, was held below 10 points for the second time in three games. This time, he scored all of three points, a total that did not exceed his number of turnovers (five). Jones attempted five shots in 23 minutes.

Center Alonzo Mourning, after making three of his first four shots, made 1 of 6 the rest of the way to finish with 10 points in 23 minutes.

And point guard Rod Strickland, before leaving with 9:08 left in the third quarter because of an upset stomach, was held scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting.

Disgusted with the production of his veterans, Riley sat all but one of the starters for more than half the game. Only forward Jim Jackson, who played 30 minutes and scored six points on 2-of-12 shooting, saw significant playing time.

The game became so lopsided that a handful of unfamiliar names played extensive minutes. With two minutes left in the third quarter and the Heat trailing 75-47, the lineup included guard Mike James, center Vladimir Stepania and Malik Allen, the latter having played 12 minutes all season coming in.

The contrast in offensive philosophies was evident throughout. The Suns consistently pushed the ball, with Stephon Marbury (nine assists) finding a streaking Shawn Marion (21 points) time and again.

When Miami had the ball, it maintained the same lethargic offensive style that has taken it to new depths.

During the first half, the Heat mustered just 28 points, making 13 field goals and shooting 26.5 percent. Overall, the Heat shot 32.6 percent.

Eddie House scored 15 points to lead Miami, but that could only account for a small percentage of what the Heat did not get from its other players.

``We can't make a shot,'' Riley said.