Heat end Nets' unbeaten start
Published:Monday | November 1, 2010 | 12:00 AM
NEWARK, NJ (AP):
LeBron James scored 20 points, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade were close behind, as the Miami Heat ended the New Jersey Nets' unbeaten start with a 101-78 victory yesterday.
Bosh finished with 18 points and Wade added 17, both getting most of them in Miami's dominant first half before sitting out the fourth quarter. James played a little of the final period and added seven rebounds and seven assists.
It was the most impressive offensive performance yet for the Heat, who have won three straight since beginning their new era with a loss in Boston on opening night. Miami shot 68 per cent in the first half, when their Big Three combined for 41 points - one fewer than New Jersey - and the stats only lowered when the reserves took over toward the end.
First loss
Brook Lopez scored 20 points in the Nets' first loss this season before new owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who watched his third game this week before heading back to Russia.
The Nets followed their 12-70 finish from last season by opening with victories over Detroit and Sacramento - an especially good start since they set an NBA record by dropping their first 18 games of 2009-10. But those are lottery teams. Miami are a powerhouse.
The Heat were coming off their first big victory, overpowering rival Orlando 96-70 last Friday night in their home opener. Coach Erik Spoelstra said before yesterday's early start he hoped there would be no hangover.
Early fouls
Nothing to worry about. Even with James picking up a pair of early fouls, the Heat made 10-of-14 shots (71 percent) in the first quarter, building a double-digit lead less than halfway through the period en route to a 29-18 cushion after one.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who followed James from Cleveland to Miami, started the second quarter with a flurry and the lead was up to 18 after a dunk by James. The Nets could not do much to cut into it and the Heat led 58-42 at half-time.
Carlos Arroyo had 12 points for the Heat, who broke 100 points for the first time and finished at 54 per cent from the field.