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O'Neal, Heat go for fifth straight win vs. Timberwolves

Mar 9, 2007 - 4:50 PM Minnesota (27-33) at Miami (31-29) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) - With Dwyane Wade still sidelined, fellow All-Star Shaquille O'Neal has put the Miami Heat on his broad shoulders.

O'Neal and the shorthanded Heat look to remain perfect on their six-game homestand when the Minnesota Timberwolves come calling Friday.

O'Neal had 24 points, nine rebounds and a season-high eight assists and Eddie Jones scored 23 points as defending champion Miami pushed its winning streak to four games with a convincing 103-70 victory over Chicago on Wednesday.

With Indiana (29-31) and Orlando (29-34) struggling of late, Miami been able to move into sole possession of sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

"We just want to keep gaining ground and hopefully teams ahead of us keep sliding," O'Neal said. "We're finally playing good basketball instead of running all over the place."

Minnesota is coming off its second consecutive double-overtime game, a 117-107 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Superstar Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis both had double-doubles.

Minnesota trails the Los Angeles Clippers (29-31) by two games for eighth place in the Western Conference. It has not reached the postseason since 2004.

The Timberwolves have dropped six straight road games. However, they have won eight of their last 11 meetings with the Heat.