Ranking The Miami Heat’s All-Time Christmas Day Wins
By Will Salinas
Ranking Miami Heat’s Christmas Wins: ‘Shaq vs. Kobe’ Was Must-See T.V.
The headline for this game felt like a boxing headline that you would see on tv. “Shaq vs. Kobe 3.”
6. 2005- Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat
The Lakers came to Miami for this matchup and it was not very friendly, to say the least. Shaquille O’Neal was 2-0 against Kobe since his departure from LA.
In the second matchup of Kobe and Shaq, the two never touched, talked, and clearly, the two weren’t on good terms. This led up to the third installment on Christmas Day.
The two dueled, as Kobe finished with 37 points, eight boards, and six assists, while Shaq had 18 points and 17 boards.
Wade struggled, with just 18 points on 5-15 shooting, but still managed to help pull out a, 97-92, win. Not much went on between Shaq and Kobe, but Wade and Kobe actually got into it.
Must Read. Here's Why Shaq Was Better Than Tim Duncan. light
Kobe elbowed Wade in the face coming off a screen and then Wade retaliated, elbowing Bryant in the chest. This resulted in a flagrant for Wade and then a technical was assessed to Gary Payton.
Tension was carried off the court as well between Payton and Lamar Odom. The two shared their strong opinions and neither took them lightly.
Getting to the game, Wade still managed to create big plays with an and-one jumper in the fourth. However, Gary Payton was the story of the game, as he hit a go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute of the game to finish with a team-leading 21 points.
He also played excellent defense on Bryant when guarding him, but it is Kobe, so sometimes defense didn’t really matter. It was the Heat’s second straight Christmas Day win and bragging rights for Miami once again.
The Heat wore their traditional white home jerseys as the Lakers wore their purple away threads. It was standard procedure for both teams.