The Pacers defeated Miami on Monday, 105-85, but remained three games back of Atlanta, which won at Memphis.

With just eight games remaining, the Pacers need help from the Hawks as well as O'Neal, but at least they're better equipped to finish strong.

O'Neal scored nine points in 18 minutes against the Heat. He hopes to make his presence felt most on defense, however.

The Pacers rank seventh in scoring but 27th in points allowed. As one of the best shot-blockers and charging foul-takers in the NBA, he should help dramatically on defense.

They'll find out Wednesday when they play at Boston. The Celtics are one of just two teams on their remaining schedule with a winning record. Washington is the other, and Philadelphia was at .500 as of Monday.

O'Neal came off the bench on Monday. Coach Jim O'Brien has not said if and when he might return to the starting lineup, but O'Neal hopes to play more than 20 minutes against the Celtics.

PACERS 105, HEAT 85: Nothing could be easier than playing Miami, which resembles a Development League team aside from the presence of Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.

The injury-ravaged Heat finished Monday's game with five rookies, only one of whom, Daequan Cook, was a first-round draft pick.

Still, the Pacers didn't put the game away until the fourth period, although they won every quarter.

Danny Granger led the Pacers with 23 points, and Mike Dunleavy added 18 despite hitting just 5-of-16 shots.

Most eyes, however, were on Jermaine O'Neal, who had missed the previous 33 games and 40 altogether.

O'Neal's rust was obvious when he entered the game late in the first quarter; he was called for traveling on his first possession and committed a foul on his first defensive possession. He got better as the game wore on, however,

most notably stuffing a dunk attempt by Heat forward Stephane Lasme early in the fourth quarter before leaving the game.