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Heat lose game, Shaquille O'Neal

The Phoenix Suns' newly acquired center Shaquille O'Neal gives a thumbs up to the crowd after being introduced as the Suns play against the New Orleans Hornets in Phoenix on Wednesday PHOTO: AP

Rasheed Wallace had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 100-95 win over Miami on Wednesday, a few hours after the Heat traded Shaquille O'Neal.

The Heat sent O'Neal, who won his fourth title in Miami two years ago, to Phoenix for four-time All-Star Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

If the Heat were down emotionally about the deal, which was announced within hours of tipoff, they didn't show it. Miami led 22-18 after the first quarter and despite trailing by 11 after the third, the short-handed team did not give up.

Dwayne Wade, who had 30 points and 12 assists, pulled the Heat within a point with just under 3 minutes left and he set up Ricky Davis' 3-pointer to make it 94-92 with 21.5 seconds left.

Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups made enough free throws on the next three possessions to seal the win for the Pistons, who have won six straight.

Celtics 111, Clippers 100

At Boston, Rajon Rondo scored a career-high 24 points to go with eight assists and five rebounds, coming back from a flagrant foul that knocked him to the floor and bloodied his nose to lead Boston past the Los Angeles Clippers.

A night after losing by one point to Cleveland, the Celtics avoided a losing streak despite missing All-Star Kevin Garnett for the fifth-straight game.

Ray Allen scored 19 and Paul Pierce had 15, with reserve Leon Powe adding 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Corey Maggette had 33 points and eight rebounds and sub Cuttino Mobley scored 16 for the Clippers, who beat the New York Knicks on Monday night to snap a nine-game road losing streak.

Magic 100, Nets 84

At Orlando, Florida, Dwight Howard had 21 points and 13 rebounds as Orlando avenged a one-point loss to New Jersey last month.

Vince Carter led the Nets with 18 points, while Jason Kidd had 13 points and seven assists.

Six Magic players scored in double figures. Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis both scored 19, and Keyon Dooling, Brian Cook and Jameer Nelson each added 11.

Hawks 98, Lakers 95

At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 28 points, including four free throws in the final 23 seconds, and Atlanta beat Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Josh Smith, who had 17 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and five blocks, hit one of two free throws with 7.1 seconds left to push the lead to three points. Sasha Vujacic answered with a layup for the Lakers with 3.7 seconds left.

Hawks rookie center Al Horford had 15 points and a career-high 20 rebounds. Lamar Odom led the Lakers with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Spurs 85, Wizards 77

At Washington, Robert Horry got San Antonio in gear after a lackluster 2 1/2 quarters, scoring seven of his season-high nine points in the 17-4 spurt that gave his team the lead over Washington for good.

In other games, it was: Pacers 103, Knicks 100; Hornets 132, Suns 130, 2OT; Jazz 118, Nuggets 115, OT; Mavericks 107, Bucks 96; Trail Blazers 100, Bulls 97; SuperSonics 105, Kings 92.
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