bjtheman1
Bench Warmer
NEWARK, N.J. (AP)—LeBron James(notes) scored 20 points, Chris Bosh(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) were close behind, and the Miami Heat ended the New Jersey Nets’ two-game unbeaten start with a 101-78 victory Sunday.
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 percent in the first half, when its Big Three combined for 41 points—one fewer than New Jersey—and the stats only lowered when the reserves took over toward the end.
Mavericks 99, Clippers 83
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Jason Kidd(notes) ended the first half with a 65-foot shot-put heave from inside the 3-point arc at the opposite end, Caron Butler(notes) scored 17 points and Shawn Marion(notes) had 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, leading Dallas past the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dirk Nowitzki(notes) added 16 points and seven rebounds for the defending Southwest Division champions in their first road game of the season. Kidd finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Rookie Blake Griffin(notes) had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who missed 14 of their first 16 shots and finished at 34 percent while falling to 0-3 on the season under new coach Vinny Del Negro. None of the starters reached double digits until Griffin converted a slam dunk with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Jazz 120, Thunder 99
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)—Paul Millsap(notes) had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Deron Williams(notes) added 16 points and 15 assists and Utah avoided matching its worst start in 31 years.
Al Jefferson(notes) notched his first double-double since joining the Jazz in an offseason trading, putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The Jazz haven’t started 0-3 since the 1979-80 season, the franchise’s first in Utah. Instead, they snapped Oklahoma City’s season opening two-game win streak behind a strong push in the middle of the game when they outscored the Thunder 40-13.
Kevin Durant(notes) led Oklahoma City with 28 points and Russell Westbrook(notes) scored 22.
Lakers 107, Warriors 83
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Pau Gasol(notes) had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Kobe Bryant(notes) added 20 points and the Los Angeles Lakers kept up their unbeaten start.
Lamar Odom(notes) had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who easily improved to 3-0 with their 10th consecutive win over their upstate rivals.
Los Angeles outrebounded Golden State 55-42 and held a comfortable double-digit lead throughout the second half, with the Lakers’ starters continually outrunning the Warriors at their own uptempo game.
Monta Ellis(notes) scored 20 points for the Warriors, whose first loss ended their first 2-0 start in 16 years. Golden State played without guard Stephen Curry(notes), who aggravated his sprained right ankle Friday.
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 percent in the first half, when its Big Three combined for 41 points—one fewer than New Jersey—and the stats only lowered when the reserves took over toward the end.
Mavericks 99, Clippers 83
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Jason Kidd(notes) ended the first half with a 65-foot shot-put heave from inside the 3-point arc at the opposite end, Caron Butler(notes) scored 17 points and Shawn Marion(notes) had 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, leading Dallas past the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dirk Nowitzki(notes) added 16 points and seven rebounds for the defending Southwest Division champions in their first road game of the season. Kidd finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Rookie Blake Griffin(notes) had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who missed 14 of their first 16 shots and finished at 34 percent while falling to 0-3 on the season under new coach Vinny Del Negro. None of the starters reached double digits until Griffin converted a slam dunk with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Jazz 120, Thunder 99
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)—Paul Millsap(notes) had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Deron Williams(notes) added 16 points and 15 assists and Utah avoided matching its worst start in 31 years.
Al Jefferson(notes) notched his first double-double since joining the Jazz in an offseason trading, putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The Jazz haven’t started 0-3 since the 1979-80 season, the franchise’s first in Utah. Instead, they snapped Oklahoma City’s season opening two-game win streak behind a strong push in the middle of the game when they outscored the Thunder 40-13.
Kevin Durant(notes) led Oklahoma City with 28 points and Russell Westbrook(notes) scored 22.
Lakers 107, Warriors 83
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Pau Gasol(notes) had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Kobe Bryant(notes) added 20 points and the Los Angeles Lakers kept up their unbeaten start.
Lamar Odom(notes) had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who easily improved to 3-0 with their 10th consecutive win over their upstate rivals.
Los Angeles outrebounded Golden State 55-42 and held a comfortable double-digit lead throughout the second half, with the Lakers’ starters continually outrunning the Warriors at their own uptempo game.
Monta Ellis(notes) scored 20 points for the Warriors, whose first loss ended their first 2-0 start in 16 years. Golden State played without guard Stephen Curry(notes), who aggravated his sprained right ankle Friday.
