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McGrady drops 35 as Rockets top Blazers
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-12 14:34
However, it was the return of O'Neal that really lifted the Heat, as he
played for the first time since suffering a sprained right ankle on November 3.
O'Neal had 10 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes coming off the bench,
including four points in overtime before fouling out with 1:33 left in the extra
period.
"I felt pretty good," O'Neal told reporters after the game.
"I just wanted to get my guys going, bring some energy and spirit to the
line-up."
He was just 6-for-16 from the foul line, but made one of his two free throws
with a second left in regulation to force the overtime period.
Udonis Haslem added 11 points and had eight rebounds for the Heat, but Miami
was just 28-for-45 from the foul line, which allowed the Wizards to stay in the
game despite Washington only shooting 39 percent.
Gary Payton added 21 points and seven rebounds for the Heat, both season
highs, to help Miami beat the Wizards for the ninth straight time dating back to
April 11, 2003.
Caron Bulter led the Wizards with 28 points, while Chucky Atkins chipped in
with 26 as Washington lost its third straight game.
"Now we have to learn how to win," Atkins said.
Gilbert Arenas added 24 points for the Wizards, but hit just five of his 24
shots from the field. No other Washington player had more than six points.
The Heat are now 11-10 after going 9-9 without O'Neal in the line-up since
his injury.
Washington (8-11) slipped to 3-8 on the road and slipped two games behind
first place Miami in the Southeast Division, tied with Orlando.
In Sacramento, Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 23 points and had 11 rebounds as
the Kings beat the Oklahoma City Hornets 110-100.
Peja Stojakovic and Bonzi Wells both scored 23 points for the Kings.
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