Shaq, Heat Believe Start Of Season Is Crucial

MIAMI (AP) -- On the eve of his 16th NBA season, even Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal sees extra significance in opening night.

Standings-wise, it's just the first of 82 games, the start of the grueling six-month march toward the postseason. But to O'Neal, opening night merely represents the first chance to get into first place - which may explain why he's only been part of two season-starting losses in his long career.

He'll look to improve that record Thursday, when the Heat host the Detroit Pistons.

"It's very important,'' O'Neal said. "You always wake up the next day and see 1-0, not 0-1. You always want to be 1-0 and at the top of your standings, not start off at the bottom. It's been a long summer, everybody's been waiting anxiously for us to be back, so we'll try to give them a good show. And we will.''

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source : NBA.com