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Miami pulls together as Shaq recovers

With a 17-19 record good enough to put the Miami Heat third in its division and sixth in the Eastern conference in total, Shaquille O`Neill can sit out a little while longer as he recovers from knee surgery. The defending champions have struggled this season, as their star center has played only four games this season. When missing Dwyane Wade as well, they have been uncharacteristically embarrassed on the court at times. Now, winning four straight games, the last one against the mighty Utah Jazz, behind 32 points from Wade, things seem under control.

The ongoing wining streak, while playing on the road, is the Heat`s longest this season. It helps bring them within two games of .500. Playing without Shaq, and coached by Pat Riley`s temporary replacement Ron Rothstein, they are 4-2 in their last six games. As the mid-season mark nears, so is the return of the Big Fella. O`Neill is working to get his strength back in his left knee before his return. As it seems now, it could be the Heat`s best interest to have Shaq sit out a little while longer.

Winning games behind Wade and Rothstein, and remaining gin the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, keeping Shaq`s legs fresh for the end of the season and post-season is top-priority for the team. Alonzo Mourning has been covering for O`Neill, so far with much success. The 37 year old center has started 31 games for the Heat this season, scoring an average of 10.1 point per game and blocking 2.9 shots in 23.8 minutes per game.