|
O'Neal leads the way for Heat on Riley's return
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-15 09:15
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal scored 30 points on his first start
since coming back from injury and Pat Riley enjoyed a winning return as Miami
Heat coach in a 100-97 road win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Miami Heat center
Shaquille O'Neal (R) shoots over Chicago Bulls forward Michael Sweetney
(bottom) during the first half of their NBA game in Chicago December 13,
2005. Miami Heat won the game 100-97.
[Reuters] | Riley, the team's president and former
coach, took over coaching duties for a second time earlier this week when Stan
Van Gundy resigned for personal reasons.
The alarm bells would have been ringing when he saw Miami's double-digit lead
in the fourth quarter drop to just two, but the Heat managed to hold on to
improve to 12-10, and 3-1 with O'Neal in the line-up.
"It's going to take me time to get up to speed on everything," Riley admitted
after the game.
O'Neal played in his second game since missing 18 contests with a sprained
ankle and started for the first time after coming off the bench in the overtime
win over Washington on Sunday.
He shot 12-for-21 from the field and added seven rebounds while playing 27
minutes.
Dwyane Wade added 14 points and had 11 rebounds for the Heat, while Antoine
Walker also scored 14 points.
Alonzo Mourning turned in another solid effort off the bench for Miami,
contributing 11 points and 12 rebounds in just 20 minutes.
Kirk Hinrich had 26 points and eight assists for the Bulls (11-11), who
trailed 52-43 at the half.
Darius Songaila added 19 points in just 21 minutes for Chicago.
The Bulls had one last chance to tie the game on a three-pointer as time
expired, but Luol Deng's shot went off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
In Washington, Jarvis Hayes scored 19 points as the Wizards beat the New
Jersey Nets 94-74.
|
