Shaq leads Heat to NBA win over Wizards

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Shaquille O'Neal turned in one of his strongest performances of the season here Wednesday to lift the depleted Miami Heat to 92-83 victory over the Washington Wizards.

O'Neal scored 12 of his season-high 23 points in the final period and Jason Williams added 23 points as the Heat dug in defensively down the stretch.

Udonis Haslem collected 12 points and 15 rebounds for Miami, which improved to just 3-8 with superstar Dwyane Wade sidelined.

Wade, the reigning NBA finals Most Valuable Player, decided that he will wait until the end of the week to decide whether to undergo season-ending surgery or rehabilitate his injured shoulder.

Missing 38 games after knee surgery earlier this season, O'Neal had been sluggish in his return. With...