Just wanted to pass along that O'Neal will likely be suspended for at least the first game of the regular season. Incidentally, Camby and Dream won't be playing in our next 2 games either - so Yao should have some fairly easy matchups to start out the season. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=221023007 O'Neal, Howard throw punches in fourth quarter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECAP | BOX SCORE DENVER (AP) -- Jermaine O'Neal, who was ejected after a fourth-quarter fight with Juwan Howard, scored all 15 of his points in the second half as the Indiana Pacers beat the Denver Nuggets 96-89 in an exhibition game Wednesday night. O'Neal was 6-for-9 shooting after a scoreless first half, but he and Howard were ejected with 4:56 left in the fourth quarter after exchanging punches. O'Neal earlier got two stitches under his left eye after an elbow from Nene Hilario. Ron Mercer had a team-high 17 points for Indiana, which lost guard Jamaal Tinsley to a sprained left ankle with 3:59 left in the third quarter after a hard foul by Junior Harrington. James Posey had 23 points for Denver, which lost its fifth straight. Howard was 1-for-10 shooting and had two points. Seconds before the fight, O'Neal hit a jumper to put Indiana ahead 87-78. When Posey missed a 3-pointer, Howard and Indiana's Al Harrington got tangled up going for the rebound. Howard threw a punch at Harrington and O'Neal got involved. Indiana was held to 14 points and 17 percent shooting in the second quarter. With Chris Andersen scoring seven points and Posey's desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer, the Nuggets took a 55-46 lead into halftime. O'Neal had five points during a 13-0 run to start the third quarter as the Pacers took a 59-55 lead. O'Neal hit a jumper to put Indiana ahead 74-71 after three quarters.
Thanks. Even though Ming was able to hang with J Oneal in the World Championships without much of a problem.
Hard to say what will happen, but they are saying O'Neal did not retaliate. Howard was the one throwing haymakers.
I was really looking forward to see those two battle in the middle but as we know things happen. Well this should help Yao season opener to be a good one.
The Pacers starting PG Jamal Tinsley has a sprained ankle also. He is questionable for the opening game. Just one more reason the Rockets should get the season off to a good start. Oh and Reggie Miller might be out.
Ron Artest and Austin Croshere are also out for the season opener. It also says Jermaine O'Neal, while he might still play, has stitches over his left eye and a sprained ankle. Indiana is really beaten up.
Didn't Ming say he was "looking forward" to playing O'Neal, Camby, and Olajuwon in his first week of the NBA season? Well, looks like he isnt going to face all 3 of them.
