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Stabroek News

O'Neal upstages hot Bryant in Christmas Day showdown
published: Tuesday | December 27, 2005


Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal (centre) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odam (left) and center Kwame Brown during NBA action in Miami, Florida on Sunday. The Heat won 97-92. - REUTERS

NEW YORK (Reuters)

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL scored 18 points and pulled down 17 rebounds to counter a 37-point effort by former teammate Kobe Bryant in leading the Miami Heat to a 97-92 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

In a Christmas Day clash rich with sub-plots, O'Neal and Bryant renewed their bitter rivalry, but it was another former Laker that helped clinch victory for the Heat, Gary Payton hitting for 21 points, including a clutch go-ahead three-pointer with just 65 seconds to play.

Payton's long shot made a winner of yet another Los Angeles alumni as Heat coach Pat Riley got the better of his old rival Phil Jackson, who returned to the Lakers this season after guiding Bryant and O'Neal to three NBA titles before retiring in 2004.

However, it was Bryant and O'Neal that a sell-out crowd at Miami's AmericanAirlines Arena had come to see, some paying scalpers as much as $1,000 for a seat.

The duo's relationship seemed as strained as ever as they refused to acknowledge each other before the opening tip-off.

Following the match, O'Neal was asked about his relationship with Bryant and stared blankly into television cameras before offering a simple "Merry Christmas".

"We were a little bit anxious for a win today," O'Neal added. "We played well. It's just another game to me."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Dwyane Wade, who went head-to-head much of the contest with Bryant, contributed 18 points to the Miami total while Jason Williams chipped in with 14 as the Heat won for the sixth time in eight games.

Brian Cook hit for 15 points for the Lakers, while Lamar Odom had 14 points and 16 rebounds.

Tied 91-91 with less than two minutes to play, Odom hit a free throw to give the Lakers their last lead of the game before Payton put Miami ahead to stay 94-92 with his three-pointer from the left flank.

Wade then added three free throws to seal the win.

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