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Shaq, Suns continue trip vs. Wade, Heat

Mar 4, 2009 - 11:21 AM Phoenix (34-26) at Miami (31-28) 7:30 p.m. EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Shaquille O'Neal's resurgence hit a minor snag on Tuesday. A trip to a familiar climate could put it back on track.

O'Neal will return to south Florida for the first time since being traded last season when the Phoenix Suns face the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

The perennial All-Star was exchanged for Shawn Marion in part because the Heat believed that he was on the downside of his career - a popular opinion around the league.

O'Neal has turned back the clock lately, scoring 45 and 33 points in consecutive wins over the weekend. He slipped to 19 with 11 rebounds on Tuesday as the Suns fell to the Orlando Magic, 111-99.

O'Neal and Dwyane Wade helped lead the Heat to their lone NBA title in 2006, and the familiar surroundings should keep Shaq motivated.

Wade has done just fine this season without his former big man, leading the NBA in scoring at 29.2 points per game and putting the Heat in position to make some noise in the playoffs just a year removed from finishing with the worst record in the NBA.

Wade went off for 41 points on Monday, but it was not enough as the Heat fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 107-100.