INQUIRER Sports

CLEVELAND ? Shaquille O'Neal was benched for his sixth game in a row on Wednesday by the Cleveland Cavaliers but vowed to return Friday after his shoulder injury kept him out of a 98-88 victory at Detroit.

"Shaq" has not played since helping the Cavaliers defeat his former club, Miami, on November 12. He has struggled with injuries in recent seasons that limited his late-season effectiveness.

The mammoth center had hoped to play against the Pistons after practicing on Monday. His next chances to suit up for the Cavaliers will come on Friday at Charlotte, a game in which O'Neal vows he will play.

"I'm playing," O'Neal said.

Cleveland coach Mike Brown said he will not know until game day whether or not "Shaq" will suit up against the Bobcats.

O'Neal has averaged 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds over nine games for Cleveland after being obtained in a trade with Phoenix before the season. If he is healthy, "Shaq" will face the Suns when they visit Cleveland next Wednesday.

With NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James leading the way, the Cavaliers are 11-4 and lead the NBA's Central Division. The team is 6-3 with O'Neal playing and 5-1 without him.