O’Neal Practices With Heat

Shaquille O’Neal’s availability for the start of the Eastern Conference finals was shrouded in mystery Saturday, his bruised right thigh still a source of concern.

The Detroit Pistons aren’t necessarily believing the story.

O’Neal practiced with the Miami Heat on Saturday, participating in some five-on-five, full-contact, full-court basketball for the first time in 11 days. He was held out of some later portions of the workout, a move designed so that he wouldn’t overtax the sore muscle that has bothered him for five weeks.

Still, he was noncommittal about being ready for Monday’s Game 1 at home against the Pistons, saying he “hopefully” would be in the Heat starting lineup against the defending NBA champions.

“We just have to keep playing well,” said O’Neal, who hasn’t played since Game 2 of the second-round series against Washington. “I don’t want this to be about me. I haven’t been out there for a couple games, and the team has been playing well. If I play, we’re going to do the same thing. If I don’t, we’re going to do the same thing.”

The Heat will practice lightly today, and O’Neal is expected to participate again -- unless he wakes up to find the injury has worsened.

“We’ll anxiously await Sunday and see how he feels,” Heat Coach Stan Van Gundy said.

Meanwhile, the Pistons -- who ended O’Neal’s quest for a fourth NBA title last season, beating the Lakers in five games -- steadfastly say they believe O’Neal will be raring to go when the series opens.

“That’s what Shaq wants y’all to think, that he’s hurting,” Piston forward Ben Wallace said. “Shaq is going to be ready to play. Don’t keep feeding into that. There’s nothing wrong with Shaq.”

Added Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace: “It doesn’t matter if he’s 100%, 55%, he’s still going to demand that double team and special attention. To me, he’s the greatest player on earth.”

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NBA officials will return to Las Vegas this week to scout potential venues as part of the city’s bid to hold the league’s 2007 All-Star game.

Las Vegas is attempting to become the first city without an NBA team to hold the All-Star game. Memphis, Tenn., is the only other city with a confirmed interest in being host of the All-Star weekend in 2007 or 2008. New Orleans and Charlotte, N.C., also have been mentioned as possible bidders.

League officials were in Las Vegas in April for a daylong tour. NBA spokesman Tim Frank on Friday said Las Vegas’ All-Star application is still under review.

NBA officials will spend Tuesday through Friday examining the Thomas & Mack Center, various convention venues and hotels, according to Rossi Ralenkotter, president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.