Is Shaq benched new strategy for Heat
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-14 08:44

Even after finishing a game with a flourish, Mourning sees himself as part of O'Neal's supporting cast.

"We've been on big fellow's shoulders the whole year," Mourning said. "We expect him to help us get where we need to go, and that's to the finals. But we know he can't do it by himself. Man, he just turned 34."

Before O'Neal went to the bench for most of the fourth quarter, he spent 4 1/2 minutes on the floor with Mourning — the first time Riley has used the two centers in tandem this season. Miami outscored Cleveland 13-8 during that stretch.

Riley has talked often about experimenting with the combination. He said he'll likely try it again, despite potential matchup problems for Miami's defense.

"We can create problems for the other team defensively, too," Riley said. "There's a little package that I have that we're going to put in that I think would be effective. As long as you have three shooters and playmakers and ballhandlers with them, I think it could be a good lineup."

For O'Neal, it beats sitting on the bench.