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O'Neal leads Heat to victory

March 30, 2005 16:10 IST

Shaquille O'Neal notched 28 points and Dwyane Wade added 27 as the Miami Heat scorched the Toronto Raptors 103-91 on Tuesday, extending their franchise record home win streak to 17 games in an ill-tempered clash.

Toronto finished the game without coach Sam Mitchell and forward Morris Peterson, who were both ejected in the fourth quarter.

Peterson was sent to the locker room after he fouled Wade and the two had a heated exchange before being separated. Mitchell joined Peterson a few minutes later after arguing a call with officials.

Otherwise it was business as usual for the Heat, who toyed with the struggling Raptors until the fourth quarter.

After allowing Toronto to get within 81-79 the Heat went on a 15-2 run to take command, improving their record to 53-18.

In Cleveland, a weary LeBron James fired 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists leading the Cavaliers to a 94-84 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

James, who played all 53 minutes in Monday's overtime win against the New Orleans Hornets, lacked his usual spark but 20-year-old All-Star got plenty of help with Zydrunas Ilgauskas contributing 19 points and 15 rebounds to the cause.

The Cavaliers had led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter but with just over four minutes to play had seen their advantage trimmed to an 80-75.

Corey Maggette had 26 points and seven assist to lead the Clippers while Chris Kaman added 18 points and nine rebounds.

In Memphis, Ray Allen and Jerome James both scored 22 points as the Seattle SuperSonics rallied to edge the Grizzlies 102-99 and clinch a Western Conference playoff berth for the first time in three years.

After missing a chance to secure a postseason spot against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Seattle looked like they might have to wait another night as they trailed by 14 in the third quarter.

But the Sonics responded with a 10-0 run to surge in front 95-92.

Luke Ridnour came through in the clutch for the SuperSonics scoring nine of his 15 points in the final quarter, including two key free throws with 15 seconds to play.

In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant had 32 points and Caron Butler added 26 sparking the Lakers to a 117-107 win over the New York Knicks and snap out of season high eight game losing skid.

Stephon Marbury had a season high 45 points and added 10 assists and six rebound but could not keep the Knicks from slumping to a fourth straight defeat.

 

Source: REUTERS
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