NBA Game Summary - Miami at Cleveland

Cleveland, OH (Basketball News) - Despite foul trouble, Shaquille O’Neal celebrated his 33rd birthday with 13 points, six assists and five rebounds as the Miami Heat remained red hot with a 102-82 victory over the slumping Cleveland Cavaliers at Gund Arena.

Eddie Jones netted a team-high 19 points for Miami, which has won five straight games and 12 of 14 overall.

Jones however, left the game midway through the fourth quarter and was seen on the bench clutching his lower right leg. He did not return in the game.

O’Neal drew two fouls early in the first quarter and played just 14 minutes in the first half. He also spent time on the bench during the third and fourth quarters with subsequent foul trouble, although it did not matter much as Miami took control in the second quarter and dominated throughout.

Dwyane Wade had 18 points and 10 assists and Udonis Haslem added 18 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Leading the Cavaliers, who have lost six straight games, was LeBron James with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas contributed 22 points and nine rebounds, while Drew Gooden came off the bench to record 11 points and 13 boards. Cleveland began its four-game homestand with a loss — the Cavs’ third in a row at Gund Arena.

After the teams played a see-saw first quarter, which ended with Cleveland ahead 25-24, the Heat scorched the Cavs in the second quarter.

Miami used a 19-7 run in the first 6 1/2 minutes of the second quarter to build a 43-32 advantage. The Heat would outscore Cleveland 31-19 in the frame to head into the locker room leading 55-44.

O’Neal was called for his fourth foul with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter with Miami ahead, 63-54. Despite the potential opening for the Cavs with Shaq on the bench, the Heat closed the third quarter on an 18-8 run to take an 81-62 advantage into the final 12 minutes.

Miami led by as many as 21 in the fourth quarter as Cleveland never seriously threatened.