When center Shaquille O'Neal got off to a sluggish start, the doubters came out in full force.

"If I don't put up the big numbers, they'll automatically say, 'Shaq has nothing left,'" he said Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

The national media was quick to jump on the notion that he was done.

"I didn't think the Shaquille O'Neal trade would work," NBA TV's Chris Webber said. "I thought he would slow the team down. But I was wrong. He has accepted his role and he has gotten his legs back."

O'Neal, who will turn 38 on March 6, said he didn't fret over the criticism.

"Only guys who have been in my shoes can say I have nothing left," he said. "Like if I hear it from Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar), (Charles) Barkley or (Charles) Oakley, guys like that. I was brought here to be a high-level role player."

But he's been more than that the last few weeks. In his last nine games, he's averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He's also shot a blistering 66 percent from the field (62-of-94).

When guards Mo Williams and Delonte West were sidelined with injuries, Coach Mike Brown had a light bulb go on above his head.

The Cavs decided to run the offense through the 7-foot-1, 325-pounder.

It's been a stroke of genius.

"I'm used to taking 25-30 shots a game," O'Neal said. "That's not the case here and I accept that. We had a couple guys out.

"Now I'm getting more touches, and when I get more touches, I'm the most consistent big man who has ever played the game."

CAVALIERS 102, HEAT 86: Daniel Gibson wasn't even in the building for the start of the game.

He was tending to other business.

However, the Cavaliers' interim starting point guard showed up midway through the second quarter and started the second half.

Gibson helped the Cavs topple the Heat and extend their winning streak to 10.

The Cavs are one game away from the longest winning streak in the NBA this season. Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers had 11-game streaks this year.

Gibson's pregnant fiancee, R&B artist Keyshia Cole, went into false labor and was taken to the hospital on Thursday.

Despite the late start to his night, he finished with 12 points -- his seventh consecutive game in double-figures.

"I'll reflect on (Thursday's) events," Gibson said. "We had a long day (Thursday). After shoot-around, I went home and almost got my pregame nap. She got me up: 'We've got to go.'"

With this being the couple's first baby, they went to the hospital for some tests.

"(Thursday) was a little scary for me," Gibson said. "I'm happy I was able to get to the game and help the team. She was trying to push me to get here as much as I was. From that point on, I was trying to get her home and get to the arena."

Gibson seems ready to be a dad.

"We prayed about it and talked about it," he said. "We are both looking forward to the whole experience."

The couple's baby is due March 2.

The expected dual between Cavs forward LeBron James and Heat guard Dwyane Wade didn't materialize.

Even though the Cavs started the night without their top three point guards -- Gibson, Mo Williams and Delonte West -- there was no problem.

"We have a team with a lot of veterans," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "Nobody is in panic mode. We just take on the challenges in front of us.

"When you have a guy as versatile as LeBron, you can cover up some holes."

James, who is averaging 9.6 assists in his last 12 games, has been the de facto point guard since the injuries hit Williams and West.

James had a huge night with 36 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

"It's not something I've always wanted to do," James said. "Playing point guard is like playing quarterback in high school. I decided not to play quarterback in high school. I'd rather play wide receiver and get out in the open."

The Cavs also got 13 points and eight rebounds from center Shaquille O'Neal. He's scored in double-figures in 20 of the last 21 games.

Wade finished with 24 points, but was just 3-of-12 from the field in the second half.

When Dorell Wright buried a three-pointer with 10:41 left in the second quarter, the Heat took a 31-29 lead.

It was the first time since the first quarter of the Indiana game last week -- a span of 12 quarters -- that the Cavs trailed in a game.

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