O’Neal leads Pacers to win over Heat, Shaq injured
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Jermaine O’Neal had 27 points and nine
rebounds as the Indiana Pacers edged the Miami Heat 105-102 in
National Basketball Association play Thursday in Miami.
O’Neal scored six of his points in the final three minutes
to help the Pacers recover after blowing a 14-point lead in the
second half.
Indiana has won 13 of its last 14 regular season meetings
with the Heat, but had to fend off a furious Miami comeback
attempt in the dying minutes.
The Heat (1-1) lost star center Shaquille O’Neal with an
ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
O’Neal suffered a sprained ankle after he landed on the
foot of Ron Artest and had to be helped off the floor. He will
be re-evaluated on Friday.
He had 18 points and six rebounds before the injury, but he
appeared to be in a great deal of pain as he left the floor.
Artest added 22 points for the Pacers in his first
post-suspension game in Miami, while Jamaal Tinsley added 13
points for Indiana, now 2-0 to start the season.
Stephen Jackson and Austin Croshere both added 11 points
for the Pacers, who led 59-50 at the half and 82-71 after three
quarters.
Dwayne Wade had 31 points and 10 assists to lead the Heat,
but his 3-point attempt at the buzzer rattled off the rim,
denying Miami a chance to send the game to overtime.
Udonis Haslem had 14 points for the Heat while Antoine
Walker and Alonzo Mourning both chipped in with 12.
In the only other NBA game played Thursday, Shawn Marion
scored 30 points and had 11 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns
spoiled the return of Phil Jackson to Los Angeles with a
122-112 win over the Lakers.
The Lakers won their season opener Wednesday night in
Jackson’s first game back as coach after a year away, but came
up short in their home opener at the Staples Center and seven
Suns hit double-figures in scoring.
Steve Nash had 12 points and 17 assists for the Suns (1-1),
while James Jones chipped in with 17 points.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring with 39 points and
added seven rounds and five assists in 41 minutes.
Lamar Odom had 23 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists for
the Lakers (1-1), while Smush Parker added 21 points.