O’Neal not likely to play tonight for Suns

Shaquille O’Neal, learning a new offense and working his way into shape after a hip injury, is unlikely to play when the Phoenix Suns visit the Golden State Warriors tonight.

After returning from Oakland, the team will decide whether O’Neal will play against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in Phoenix.

“I want to be a little more in tune before I step out on the court, because as you watch this team without me, they’re like a great flowing machine,” O’Neal said after practice Tuesday. “I don’t want to be the kink in the machinery.”

If O’Neal doesn’t play this week, his debut could come Feb. 20 against the Lakers in the Suns’ first game after the All-Star break.

O’Neal, acquired last week from Miami, went through his second Suns practice Tuesday.

“He’s not quite ready,” Suns Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He wants to be comfortable with the offense. He knows it’s going to be a big splash when he goes out the first time.”

Dallas forward Josh Howard has a bruised lower back and is questionable for tonight’s game against Portland.

Howard was hurt early in the fourth quarter Monday against Philadelphia when he hit the floor hard after getting bumped on a rebound.

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RESULTS, SCHEDULE

Detroit 94, at Atlanta 90: Chauncey Billups, 0 for 8 through three quarters, made two three-point shots and scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Pistons to their ninth win in a row. Rasheed Wallace (21 points) carried Detroit early, scoring 15 straight points in one span.

Boston 104, at Indiana 97: Paul Pierce had 28 points and 12 rebounds and the Celtics never trailed after using a 9-0 run to overcome a two-point deficit early in the fourth quarter. Ray Allen added 23 points for Boston, which trailed by 11 in the first half before winning its fourth in a row.

Denver 114, at Miami 113 (OT): J.R. Smith made a career-best eight three-pointers and scored 28 points and Carmelo Anthony scored six of his 22 in overtime to lift the Nuggets. Dwyane Wade scored 29 points, but missed a 22-footer at the buzzer for the Heat, which lost its eighth in a row.

at Memphis 107, Sacramento 94: The Grizzlies ended a six-game losing streak by winning their first game since trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers. Hakim Warrick had 24 points and 13 rebounds -- both season-high totals -- for Memphis. The Grizzlies were 0-4 without Gasol.

New Orleans 100, at Chicago 86: Chris Paul had 25 points and 14 assists and the Hornets overcome a seven-point halftime deficit with a 29-18 third quarter in sending the Bulls to their sixth loss in the last nine games.

at New Jersey 92, Minnesota 88: Bostjan Nachbar came off the bench in the second half and scored 10 of his 14 points during a decisive 20-10 spurt for the Nets, who won their third in a row.