|
Is Shaq benched new strategy for Heat
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-14 08:44
MIAMI - Here's a headline: Pat sat Shaq.
Trying to coax another comeback from his Miami Heat, Pat Riley left Shaquille
O'Neal on the bench for 9 1/2 minutes in the fourth quarter, testing a new
tactic and perhaps the relationship between superstar coach and superstar
center.
"That's once in a lifetime right there," guard Dwyane Wade said Monday.
"There are not many times when Shaq has been on the bench in the fourth
quarter."
The novel ploy worked. Backup center Alonzo Mourning sparked the Heat, who
overcame a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter Sunday to beat Cleveland,
98-92.
It was the fifth time in sixth games that Miami overcame a halftime deficit
to win, and this time the rally came without O'Neal. He played for only 2:36 in
the final period and didn't take a shot.
"That was a game situation," Riley said. "He's supposed to be on the court,
but I had a hard time taking anybody off the court at that time, because we were
down and then we went ahead by eight. As a coach, you're going to ride that
lineup as long as you can."
For the second day in a row, O'Neal declined to talk with reporters Monday,
fueling speculation he was unhappy about watching the end of the game from the
bench.
Maybe he was merely miffed at his play, which included five turnovers and
trouble defending Zydrunas Ilgauskas. O'Neal finished with 18 points and eight
rebounds in 29 minutes.
"I think Shaq is the kind of person that he respects Alonzo bringing energy,"
Wade said. "At times like that, when you've got a guy rolling like Zo was at
both ends of the floor, he was needed in the game."
It might reflect a decline in O'Neal's play, considering that a 36-year-old
kidney transplant recipient gives the Heat more energy at center. O'Neal is
headed for career lows in points (20.0) and rebounds (9.4) per game.
But with Miami leading the Southeast Division by 9 1/2 games, perhaps O'Neal
merely wants to make sure he has plenty in the tank come the playoffs.
|
