Shaq Leaves Early as Heat Ends Skid

Shaquille O’Neal was done before halftime. Jermaine O’Neal was back for Indiana, giving Miami fits in the second half. The Heat’s other star, Dwyane Wade, struggled.

Still, Miami found a way to end its longest losing streak of the season at four games -- and finally beat the Pacers as well.

Eddie Jones had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Damon Jones scored 16 points and the Heat defeated Indiana, 84-80, on Sunday, their first win against the Pacers in 13 regular-season meetings.

Shaquille O’Neal scored 11 points in 17 minutes, leaving shortly before halftime because of a bruised right thigh after an inadvertent kneeing by Jermaine O’Neal.

Heat Coach Stan Van Gundy said O’Neal is day to day but cautioned that he wouldn’t play him again until he’s physically ready. Miami has two regular-season games left.

O’Neal appeared to limp slightly as he walked to the locker room with 43 seconds left in the first half. He did not speak with reporters after the game.

Wade finished with 13 points on four-for-15 shooting.

The game was physical throughout, and especially late. A pair of mild altercations resulted in no ejections, although Jermaine O’Neal appeared to pull Udonis Haslem down as the two battled for the ball -- after a made free throw -- with 1:41 left.

Miami’s lead was often precarious and never grew larger than eight in the final 19 minutes, yet the Pacers never led in the second half.

Stephen Jackson finished with 21 points for Indiana, which fell two games behind Washington in the race for the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 playoff slot. Reggie Miller scored 18 for the Pacers, with Jermaine O’Neal scoring 16 in his first game back after sitting out 22 because of a shoulder injury.

“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” said Jackson, who got tangled up with Alonzo Mourning late in the game. “And they did what they needed to do to win the game.”