The Heat continued their good run of form with a fifth straight victory and moved within one win of the .500 mark (24-25) with the comprehensive performance against a woeful Celtics team.

Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal knocks the ball from Boston Celtics' Al Jefferson in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game in Boston, Massachusetts February 7, 2007. [Reuters]

Boston (12-36) are 2-22 since star Paul Pierce went down with a foot injury in December and the forward was sent home from the club's recent road trip before he could make his comeback appearance with a swollen elbow.

He is not expected to return until after the All-Star Game on February 18.

The Celtics could have used him on Wednesday, although they did lead by as many as 12 points in the first quarter before a 19-2 run put the Heat ahead for good.

Dwyane Wade had 30 points and nine assists to lead Miami, who are thriving once again since Shaquille O'Neal returned to the line-up from his injury.

O'Neal played just 25 minutes as he continues to recover from knee surgery, but he contributed nine points as the Heat pulled to within a win of .500 for the first time since they were 3-3.

Jason Kapono scored 19 and Udonis Haslem added nine points and 10 rebounds for the winners.

Al Jefferson had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Boston, which has not won since beating Memphis on January 5.

"It's frustrating," a dejected Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "It's tough."

Ryan Gomes led Boston with 15 points and Wally Szczerbiak added 14 before leaving the game with a sprained ankle.

- Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 16 points and a season-high 16 rebounds to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Los Angeles Clippers 94-77. LeBron James had just 11 points for the Cavs, three points off his season low.

- Andre Iguodala scored 27 points as the Philadelphia 76ers continued their winning ways since dealing Allen Iverson, beating the Charlotte Bobcats 92-83.

- Rookie Andre Brown hit the winning basket with 23 seconds remaining and Ray Allen scored 33 points as the Seattle SuperSonics nipped the Indiana Pacers 103-102.

- Chris Bosh poured in 41 points as the Atlantic Division leading Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 113-103.