NEW YORK: Shaquille O'Neal scored 18 points and pulled down 17 rebounds to counter a 37-point effort by former team mate Kobe Bryant in leading the Miami Heat to a 97-92 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
In a Christmas Day clash rich with sub-plots, O'Neal and Bryant renewed their bitter rivalry but it was another former Laker that helped clinch victory for the Heat – Gary Payton hitting for 21 points – including a clutch go-ahead three-pointer with just 65 seconds to play.