Watch Shaquille O’Neal visit ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on Monday night

Shaquille O’Neal visited “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Monday night on the eve of his jersey retirement ceremony Tuesday atStaples Center.

The Lakers will raise O’Neal’s No. 34 to the rafters at halftime as the team hosts the Dallas Mavericks.

“It’s very exciting,” O’Neal said to Kimmel. “If I had one wish -- I wish Dr. Jerry Buss was here. It usually takes five to seven years to get this process done, but because of him, this process was moved up very fast and I just wish he was there to celebrate this joyous night with me.”

Buss died Feb. 18 of complications from an undisclosed form of cancer.

O’Neal won three championships with the Lakers in eight seasons. The center was dealt to the Miami Heat in 2004, where he won a fourth title in 2006.

In addition to O’Neal’s halftime ceremony, the Lakers (38-36) play a crucial game against the Mavericks (36-37) that may decide which team finishes above the other in the standings.

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Preview: Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks

Brian Shaw glad Lakers retiring Shaquille O’Neal’s number

Mike D’Antoni calls Steve Nash ‘doubtful’ for Mavericks on Tuesday

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.