O'Neal and Heat too hot for Timberwolves

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2005

MIAMI (AFP) — Shaquille O'Neal collected 33 points and 13 rebounds and made several key plays down the stretch as the Miami Heat posted their 11th straight home victory in the National Basketball Association.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were the latest victims, putting up a good fight before succumbing 107-90.

The Heat, who notched their seventh straight victory overall, trailed 74-66 before an 18-2 scoring spurt that bridged the final two periods. That saw the Heat open an 84-76 advantage on a driving layup by Dwyane Wade with 8:37 remaining.

The Heat's edge was 88-84 when O'Neal made a spinning bank shot and a three-point play for a nine-point cushion with 4:51 to play.

With just under 3 1/2 minutes left, Minnesota elected to play "Hack-a-Shaq" -...