What Shaquille O’Neal‘s surgically-repaired thumb means for the NBA:
» The Cavs should still win home court advantage in the Eastern Conference, but the Lakers likely will surpass them for home court throughout the playoffs.
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» O’Neal was acquired to defend Orlando’s Dwight Howard, whom they would not meet until the conference finals. O’Neal’s interior defense shouldn’t suffer; it doesn’t take much to mostly stand there and be large.
» In the last two months, O’Neal shot 64.8 and 59.6, respectively, from the field as his touch around the basket improved. Where will this touch be in May?
» Cleveland will not play a game with Zydrunas Ilgauskas (likely to return), Antawn Jamison and O’Neal in uniform until the first or second round of the playoffs. That’s hardly ideal. But O’Neal’s absence allows the Cavs to use smaller, more athletic lineups. Will that versatility help in the postseason?
