by Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. , South Florida Sun-Sentinel

As the Heat looks ahead to Friday's game in Phoenix and its reunion with Shaquille O'Neal, it is clear that the two protagonists on its 2006 title team have moved on from their 3 1/2 seasons together.

"We really haven't spoken much; occasionally we'll text," guard Dwyane Wade said before Wednesday night's game against the Trail Blazers. "It's been, you could say, a friendly distance.

"We had a great relationship on and off the court when we were together. That was as advertised. Then he went into a different part of his career and life. And I've had to deal with a lot of different things myself. So our lives have changed."

Friday will mark the first time Wade has faced O'Neal as an opponent since the Heat guard's rookie season, when O'Neal was still with the Lakers. The Heat and Suns did not meet after O'Neal was dealt for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

"I'm sure it'll be weird, seeing him in person in that uniform," Wade said.

From a distance, Wade couldn't help but notice the way O'Neal pummeled Detroit's Rodney Stuckey last week.

"I know certain things you can't do against him," Wade said with a smile. "I know certain things he won't tolerate, and that's going in and acting like you're going to dunk on him. I know the things you can do and can't do against him."

Spoelstra homecoming

The start of this five-game trip was a homecoming for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who was raised in Portland and whose father, Jon, is a former Trail Blazers executive.

That meant an early Thanksgiving dinner, with all the traditional trimmings, Tuesday with his parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephew.

"It was a rare opportunity to see them during the season," said the first-year coach.

"My dream when I was a kid was to play for the Portland Trail Blazers. At some point in college, I realized I was barely good enough to be in college, that that wouldn't be the dream, and coaching was something I would pursue."

Waiting on Magloire

Center Jamaal Magloire (hand) remained inactive Wednesday. ...

Spoelstra said forward James Jones (wrist) is "way ahead of schedule," which could have the 3-point specialist back before the turn of the calendar, and guard Shaun Livingston (knee) is "a lot closer than people think" but still needs additional strengthening. ...

Spoelstra texted Dorell Wright after the forward had his knee scoped Tuesday and said Wright was upbeat.

Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@SunSentinel.com

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