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O'Neal, Wade look to keep Heat rolling vs. Bobcats

Feb 5, 2007 - 3:05 PM Charlotte (18-29) at Miami (22-25) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- While Dwyane Wade continues to shine, the Miami Heat need fellow All-Star Shaquille O'Neal to permanently return to form.

After O'Neal had his best game since returning from injury, the Heat aim for their fourth straight win Monday when they host the Charlotte Bobcats.

The reigning NBA Finals MVP, Wade continued to be the playmaker on Saturday, collecting 32 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Miami posted a 117-98 victory over Milwaukee.

However, the Heat will have a hard time making any noise in the playoffs - much less repeating as champions - if they cannot get a significant contribution from O'Neal, who has missed 39 of the team's 47 games this season due to a knee injury.

On Saturday, however, the legendary center netted 20 points for the Miami, which has won three straight and eight out of its last 11 games at home.

The Bobcats posted 98-90 triumph over Golden State on Saturday. Raymond Felton scored 22 points to lead four players in double figures for Charlotte, which has won four of its last six contests.

The Heat have won six of their nine meetings with the Bobcats all-time, including all four at home.