Heat Enjoys Big Returns

Shaquille O’Neal came back from an injury and Alonzo Mourning made his return in a Miami Heat uniform during garbage time Thursday night, logging the final 2:19 of a 106-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.

“I’m not the person they should be booing,” said Mourning, who played parts of two seasons for the Nets. “They should be booing the person that broke the team up, to tell you the truth.”

Mourning brought along some bitterness toward Net President Rod Thorn, who let Kenyon Martin, among others, leave as a free agent last off-season before trading him to Toronto in December.

Dwyane Wade had 16 of his 27 points during the third period, which began with New Jersey ahead, 48-44, and ended with Miami leading, 76-65. O’Neal had 20 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a three-game absence because of a knee sprain.

Vince Carter had 27 points for the Nets.

Phoenix 100, Detroit 97 -- Steve Nash returned to the lineup with 16 points and 14 assists -- including a crucial three-point basket with 1:06 to play while leading by one -- and the Suns stopped the visiting Pistons’ eight-game winning streak. Nash was sidelined for three games by a sore hamstring.

Amare Stoudemire had 26 points for Phoenix. Rasheed Wallace scored 22 for Detroit, which wasn’t finished until Chauncey Billups’ three-point attempt missed at the buzzer.

Denver 96, Indiana 87 -- Marcus Camby had 17 points, 22 rebounds, seven blocked shots and seven assists to help the Nuggets win their fifth in a row and move into a tie with the Lakers for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.

Indiana lost its best player, Jermaine O’Neal, to a sprained right shoulder in the second quarter.

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Gary Payton is expected to clear waivers today and re-sign with Boston, Coach Doc Rivers said. Payton, 36, was traded last week to Atlanta. ... Dale Davis, 35, is expected to sign today with Indiana, his original team. Davis was waived by New Orleans. ... Charlotte guard Kareem Rush will be sidelined four to six weeks after spraining his left knee Wednesday at New Orleans. ... Wesley Person, waived by Miami, signed with Denver.

From Associated Press