The much anticipated home debut of the Heat’s “Big Three” exceeded expectations as Miami routed their interstate and divisional rivals the Orlando Magic 96-70.
The Heat dominated the second half defensively, limiting the Magic to just 25 points to turn a narrow six-point halftime lead into a comfortable victory.
“The guys now can’t go back on this,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They’ve showed me defensively what they’re capable of.”
PHOTO: AFP
Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 26 points, including 12 in the third quarter as the Heat took command of the game.
LeBron James had 15 points and seven assists, while Chris Bosh had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Udonis Haslem had a double-double coming off the bench with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
“When me and Chris [Bosh] decided to join him [Wade], and even the rest of the guys, this is what we envisioned,” James said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“Is it going to be a 26-point win every night? No, it’s the NBA and we know that, but the fans, they came out and the least we could do is play hard for them,” James added.
Dwight Howard scored 19 first-half points for Orlando, but fouled out midway through the fourth quarter without scoring in the second half to lead the Magic. The Magic starters combined for a meager 37 points and just seven in the second half.
“I think their defense was very good,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said.
“I think that their length and the way that they got into the passing lanes made it tough for us to get good ball movement. Passing’s a major problem with our team. It really is,” Van Gundy added.
HORNETS 101, NUGGETS 95
In New Orleans, the hosts kept rookie coach Monty Williams unbeaten by defeating Denver.
Chris Paul scored 18 points and David West added 17 for the Hornets.
Carmelo Anthony had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Denver, who led 79-74 early in the fourth quarter, before Paul returned from a rest to score 10 of his points inside the final nine minutes.
Both teams shot better than 48 percent, but the Hornets’ defense stepped up late with blocks.
CELTICS 105, KNICKS 101
In Boston, Rajon Rondo had a -triple-double with a career-high 24 assists to lead Boston over New York.
Rondo had 10 points and 10 rebounds and topped his regular--season personal best of 18 assists, but fell short of the franchise record of 28 set by Bob Cousy in 1959.
Paul Pierce scored 25 points with 14 rebounds for the Celtics.
Amare Stoudemire scored 27 for the Knicks.
TIMBERWOLVES 96, BUCKS 85
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the hosts pounded Milwaukee on the boards for a comfortable victory.
Michael Beasley had 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kevin Love added 17 points and 16 rebounds, as the Timberwolves outrebounded the Bucks 62-39.
Corey Maggette scored 23 points for Milwaukee, who shot just 36 percent, including three-for-20 from three-point range.
The Timberwolves weren’t exactly sharp shooters themselves at 38 percent, but their 26-9 advantage in second-chance points made all the difference.
NETS 106, KINGS 100
In Newark, New Jersey, the hosts staged another late rally to defeat Sacramento.
New Jersey closed with a 17-3 surge over the final 3 minutes, 40 seconds. Devin Harris scored seven straight late in the run and finished with 21 points and 10 assists.
The Nets, who squandered an 18-point lead in this one, needed 21 games last season to get two wins. Now they have done it in two games this season.
New Jersey erased a seven-point deficit in the final 1 minute, 40 seconds to beat Detroit in their opener on Wednesday.
Tyreke Evans and Francisco Garcia had 18 points apiece for Sacramento.
HAWKS 104, 76ERS 101
In Philadelphia, Al Horford had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Atlanta over Philadelphia.
Joe Johnson scored 22 points and Jamal Crawford finished with 19 for the Hawks, who hung on despite blowing most of a 15-point lead in the late going.
Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand had the kind of games the Sixers expected to see more of when they signed them both to US$80 million contracts in 2008. Iguodala had 27 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Brand had 20 points and eight boards.
PACERS 104, BOBCATS 101
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Danny Granger scored 33 points as Indiana rallied to beat Charlotte.
Indiana’s Tyler Hansbrough, who led North Carolina to a -national college championship, but was injured for most of his rookie season injured, hit two free-throws with 10.7 seconds left.
D.J. Augustin and Stephen Jackson then missed tying three-point attempts for the Bobcats.
Gerald Wallace led Charlotte with 29 points.
Friday’s other results:
‧ Thunder 105, Pistons 104
‧ Raptors 101, Cavaliers 81
‧ Lakers 114, Suns 106
‧ Grizzlies 91, Mavericks 90
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