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O'Neal, Heat seek ninth straight win

Mar 16, 2007 - 2:32 PM Sacramento (28-36) at Miami (35-29) 7:30 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat are gathering a full head of steam on their way to the playoffs.

The Heat look for their ninth straight victory when they face the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

After winning six games on their homestand, Miami is one-half game behind first-place Washington in the Southeast Division. The Heat also are just 2 1/2 games behind Chicago for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Miami has won eight in a row for the first time since winning 10 straight from February 12-March 8, 2006. The Heat are also looking to extend a 13-game home winning streak.

Udonis Haslem collected 21 points and 12 rebounds and O'Neal scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half as the Heat posted a 93-86 win over New Jersey on Thursday.

The Heat are 9-2 without superstar Dwyane Wade, who will be out at least another month with a dislocated shoulder.

The Kings have lost six straight against Miami. Sacramento is coming off a 111-108 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday.