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Traveling even further back in time, the 2004 Christmas meeting between the Heat and the Lakers featured a historic matchup between Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. It was the first time the two stars faced off after Shaq's trade to Miami, igniting significant hype within the NBA community. The game went into overtime, culminating in a thrilling display of talent, with Bryant scoring 42 points. However, it was O'Neal and Wade's combined efforts that led to a narrow 104-102 victory for the Heat. The anticipation leading up to this game and the spectacle it delivered exemplified the heights of competitive basketball and was marked by an urgency and drama rarely seen in the sport.