By Paul Levine Apr 28, 2006, 11:26 GMT
Los Angeles - Although Shaquille O'Neal has had many memorable playoff games, this is one he'd prefer to forget.
Ben Gordon scored 24 points and the Chicago Bulls kept foul- plagued O'Neal on the bench most of the game en route to a 109-90 blowout over the Miami Heat on Thursday to pull within 2-1 in the first round of their Eastern Conference best of seven game series.
O'Neal had averaged 24.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in both Miami victories at home. However, foul trouble limited the game's most dominant big man to just 24 minutes.
O'Neal finished with just eight points, four rebounds and committed seven turnovers in his second least productive career playoff game in 174 since a seven-point showing against Houston on April 19, 2004.
'It took us out of our offence because I didn't play that much,' said O'Neal, who was whistled for five fouls in the lopsided loss.
Kirk Hinrich had 22 points and 11 assists, Luol Deng added 21 points, while Argentine Andres Nocioni chipped in with 19 points and nine rebounds for Chicago, which will host Game Four Sunday.
Dwyane Wade led Miami with 26 points and Jason Williams added 17.
'They played an absolutely great game. They did what they had to do defensively,' Heat coach Pat Riley said. 'It didn't help us that Shaq got in foul trouble.'
With the game already decided, the Heat lost their cool late in the game. James Posey appeared to intentionally bowl over Hinrich on a fast break and received a flagrant foul with 3:15 remaining. Moments later, Antoine Walker was called for a technical, and so was Udonis Haslem.
Posey defended his play, however. 'He didn't see me,' said Posey, who is likely to face a fine and possible suspension. 'So anything like that - a guy coming from the side - a collision will happen like that. That's all it was.'
Riley couldn't explain what led to Posey's foul.
'I have no idea, maybe something could have happened at the other end, but I don't like that,' he said. 'This is a very physical game but there's got to be some dignity in the game.'
Added Riley: 'When you're getting your butt kicked, you take it. You get on to Game 4, that's what it's about. They were very good, and they were kicking our butt. And we began to look at the officials. That's something we don't want to do.'
Elsewhere: Indiana Pacers 107, New Jersey Nets 95: Jermaine O'Neal matched a playoff career high with 37 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Pacers grabbed a 2-1 lead in the opening round of their Eastern Conference best-of-seven playoff series.
In the first two games O'Neal scored just 27 points due to foul trouble. After Game Two, he complained about the officiating and was fined 15,000 dollars for his remarks.
O'Neal made the adjustments and came up with a monster game on both ends of the court.
'I was trying to mix it up and give them something they just can't read,' said O'Neal who made 12-of-15 shots and 13-of-14 free throws. 'I was trying to drive, hit jumpers. That's one of the most difficult things to defend.'
'He was tough tonight in all aspects of the game,' said Nets star Vince Carter, who scored 25 points but missed all 10 second half shots. 'It was just a matter of time before he had a breakout game.'
Anthony Johnson had career playoff high 25 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter and handed out eight assists for Indiana, which outscored the Nets 56-41 in the second half.
Indiana trailed 55-51 at halftime despite 19 points from O'Neal. He added 10 more points in the third quarter and the Pacers held the Nets to 3-of-18 shooting to go ahead 78-70.
'The third quarter was the turning point of the game,' Nets' coach Lawrence Frank admitted. 'We scored three baskets and gave up 27 points.
The Nets closed to 79-76 on six straight points by Richard Jefferson, who had 25 points. O'Neal answered with a jumper and Stephen Jackson drained a 3-pointer. Johnson scored 10 quick points and the Pacers pulled away.
New Jersey will look to even the series in Game Four on Saturday.
Denver Nuggets 94, LA Clippers 87: Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and Marcus Camby had 12 points along with 14 rebounds as the short-handed Nuggets pulled to within 2-1 in their Western Conference playoff series.
The Nuggets won without All-Star forward Kenyon Martin, who was suspended indefinitely for refusing to play in the second half of Monday's Game Two loss.
Corey Maggette scored 23 points, Sam Cassell added 20 and Elton Brand finished with 17 before fouling out with 3:07 remaining for the Clippers, who failed to put a stranglehold on the series.
Denver hosts Game Four on Sunday.
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