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O'Neal leads Pacers to win over Heat, Shaq injured

Posted on: Friday, 4 November 2005, 02:28 CST

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.

Source: REUTERS

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