<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI ? A toe injury will likely keep Cleveland superstar LeBron James out of tonight's high-profile game against the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena. But the star-studded crowd could get to see Miami center Shaquille O'Neal play major minutes for the Heat. O'Neal, who has missed 39 of Miami's 45 games because of injuries, said Wednesday he'd like to play a bigger role for his team. A small sticking point to O'Neal's bravado, however, is actually getting on the court. He's questionable tonight because of the left calf strain that forced him to miss the Heat's last game. Still, O'Neal, who has played in only two of Miami's four games since returning from Nov. 19 knee surgery, said he'd like to start playing "at least more than 20, 25 (minutes)." And O'Neal said if that happens, the team wouldn't need to sign another player, such as former Heat swingman Eddie Jones, because O'Neal could begin leading Miami out of the doldrums of its 20-25 record. "When I come back out there full strength that's what I have to do," he said. "We don't need anybody else's help and we don't need to make any moves. It's my job to get the guys right and I could do a better job of getting them right when I'm out there." Despite O'Neal's sentiment, it seems inevitable the Heat will sign Jones today. Jones, 35, had his contract bought out by Memphis and was waived Tuesday. It takes 48 hours to clear waivers. Jones, who played for Miami for five years, specializes in perimeter defense, which is an area of need for the Heat. Guard Dwyane Wade, Jones' teammate in the 2003-04 season, said Jones would "be a big lift to this team." "First of all, having a guy like that around, a professional guy, a guy that we all miss in the locker room, would be great for our team," Wade said. "But second of all (he's) a guy who can be versatile on the floor, a guy I missed last year, who can defend and also hit that outside shot." The need for perimeter defense wouldn't be as dire tonight if James doesn't play. His right big toe injury forced him to miss Tuesday's game against Golden State and it seems he'll miss tonight's game as well. The last time Wade and James squared off, April 1 last season, it was a classic. James had 47 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Wade had 44 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in the Cavaliers' 106-99 victory in Cleveland. James' absence would surely take some of the star power from a Super Bowl week game that could have featured such personalities as O'Neal, James, Wade and Heat coach Pat Riley, who is on leave from the team. Nevertheless, with the Super Bowl just days away and many athletes and entertainers already in town for that, tonight's game figures to have as many "name" people in the stands as any in the past few years, including the NBA Finals. The players are aware of that likelihood and seem to embrace it. "We've played many big games on big stages with a lot of people in the crowd," Wade said, "but it's going to be a great atmosphere."</div> Source
Well he played, scored 17 points and shot 6-18, but had a clutch 3 to bring it close. Miami pulled it out and won 92-89. Wade was phenomenal. 41 pts, 23-24 FT, 5 ast, but also 12 turnovers. 24 of his 41 were in the fourth quarter alone.
