Shaq misses game due to personal reasons

O’Neal, who is in his first season with the Heat, has posted 23.0 points and 10.6 rebounds per game as Miami currently occupies the best record in the Eastern Conference.

In fact, the Heat will garner the East’s top seed in the playoffs with a win tonight.

The 33-year-old O’Neal, in his 13th NBA campaign, has career totals of 26.8 points and 12.0 boards per outing with Orlando, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Heat. In addition, O’Neal has won three NBA titles where he was named the Finals most valuable player each time and was also selected as the league’s MVP in 1999-2000.

Michael Doleac started in O’Neal’s place.