Heat Destroy NBA Champion Mavericks

It had been a longer time since last season due to the lockout when the NBA Finals were played between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat savored revenge and got it as they dominated the first three quarters of their opening game of the season in Dallas with a 105-94 victory. The game was more one-sided than the final score indicated. LeBron James had a franchise opening-game record 37 points with ten rebounds, six assists and went 15-for-19 from the free throw line. Dwyane Wade added 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Miami. The Heat began scoring the first five points of the game and went up 9-3 after four minutes. Dallas would put in their first field goal on its next possession and continue on an 8-2 run capped by a three-pointer by former Heat player Lamar Odom at 6:22 to tie the game at 11-11. Miami would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game as they responded with 13 unanswered points leading to a 21-6 spurt to end the first quarter ahead 32-17. James had ten points and Wade placed seven points after twelve minutes of play. The Heat continued to roll going on a 21-10 run at the start of the second quarter and extended the lead by 26 points, 53-27 with four minutes left in the first half. James Jones hit three treys from downtown in the second for his only scoring of the game. Dallas was down 62-41 at halftime. Miami continued their dominance after the half getting 14 straight points on their way to a 16-3 run, which gave them their biggest lead of the game at 35 points with 8:20 remaining in the third. After three quarters, James had 33 points and eight rebounds while Wade contributed 22 points and seven rebounds. Over the next 20 minutes, the Mavericks cut the deficit down to 11 points by the end of the contest. The Miami Heat play their home opener on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena and will raise their 2010-11 Eastern Conferences championship banner prior to their game against the Boston Celtics.