Miami (23-15) at LA Lakers (20-17) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Since moving to Miami before the start of last season, Shaquille O'Neal has won all three meetings against his former team.

O'Neal and the Miami Heat go for their fifth consecutive victory Monday when they wrap up a seven-game road trip against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

In their three encounters as opponents, O'Neal is averaging 22.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and nearly three blocked shots, while Bryant averages 35 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

After ignoring Bryant prior to tipoff on Christmas Day, O'Neal scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Miami in a 97-92 triumph over the Lakers. Gary Payton had 21 points and Dwyane Wade added 18 for Miami.

Bryant, the league's leading scorer (34.2), had 37 points and former Heat forward Lamar Odom added 14 and 16 rebounds in that first meeting.

Miami is the lone team in the Southeast Division with a winning record and has a 5 1/2 game lead over Washington. The Heat got 31 points from Wade in Saturday's 100-94 triumph over the Utah Jazz.

Bryant has topped the 30-point mark in eight of his last nine contests, including five consecutive games over 40. He scored 38 Saturday as the Lakers won for the fifth time in six outings with Saturday's 110-104 victory over the Golden State Warriors.