NBA: Miami 103, Sacramento 97

MIAMI, March 16 (UPI) -- Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and four rebounds Friday night as the Miami Heat topped the Sacramento Kings, 103-97, for their ninth straight win.

Miami had a 56-45 advantage at the break, and led, 92-75, with 8:50 left.

Sacramento came within 102-92 when Mike Bibby made a jump shot with 3:02 remaining, but Miami held on.

Jason Williams had 19 points and five assists, Eddie Jones had 19 points and three rebounds, and James Posey added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat -- who raised their home winning streak to 14 games, to draw even with idle Washington at the top of the Southeast Division.

Ron Artest had 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead Sacramento. Bibby had 21 points, four rebounds and three assists; while Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Kings, who have lost seven in a row against the Heat and five straight overall.