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NBA: Knicks down the Heat to hand D’Antoni his first win

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, center, goes up for a shot as Al Thornton of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during their NBA game in Los Angeles on Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

Jamal Crawford scored 29 points and Zach Randolph added 20 as the Knicks beat the Miami Heat 120-115 on Wednesday night to win their first game under Mike D’Antoni.

Wilson Chandler had 17 points and nine rebounds as New York, relying just as much on solid defense as D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense, seized control late in the second quarter. They opened a 23-point lead in the third, then held on after the Heat got within three points in the final minute.

Dwyane Wade had 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds on his return to regular-season action for the Heat and rookie Michael Beasley, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, had only nine points on four-of-14 shooting for the Heat.

ROCKETS 82, GRIZZLIES 71

In Houston, Texas, Yao Ming had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Ron Artest added 16 points on his debut as the Rockets overcame poor shooting to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 82-71.

Luis Scola had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Rockets, who were 28-for-76 (36.8 percent) from the field. They also went five-for-16 from three-point range and were out-rebounded 49-44.

Rudy Gay scored 20 and Darrell Arthur had 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who’ve lost all eight season openers since moving to Memphis in 2001.

BUCKS 98, THUNDER 87

In Oklahoma City, Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva each scored 20 points as the Milwaukee Bucks spoiled the Thunder’s debut with a 98-87 win.

Playing their opener after moving from Seattle in the off-season, the Thunder made it interesting by cutting a 24-point deficit to 11 in the fourth quarter.

The late rally gave a sellout crowd of 19,136 something to cheer about after a miserable start by the Thunder.

Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant was held scoreless in the first half, finishing with 12 points on five-for-14 shooting.

NETS 95, WIZARDS 85

In Washington, Vince Carter scored 21 points to lead his rebuilding New Jersey Nets to a 95-85 season-opening victory over a Washington Wizards team missing Gilbert Arenas.

Carter, elected captain before the game, made a 5m fade-away jumper over Caron Butler to put the visitors ahead 90-82 with a minute left and effectively settle the game.

Carter had plenty of help, with 17 points from Yi Jianlian and 14 from former Wizards player Jarvis Hayes.

Six Wizards scored in double-figures, led by Jamison and DeShawn Stevenson with 14 apiece. All-Star forward Caron Butler shot three-for-11 and finished with 13 points.

Other NBA results from games played on Wednesday:

• Hawks 99, Magic 85

• Raptors 95, 76ers 84

• Timberwolves 98, Kings 96

• Suns 103, Spurs 98

• Pistons 100, Pacers 94

• Jazz 98, Nuggets 94

• Lakers 117, Clippers 79

• Hornets 108, Warriors 103
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