NBA: Heat turn it on in second half, rout Nets in semis opener

MIAMI - The Miami Heat, who went winless against Brooklyn in four regular-season games, turned things around Tuesday night (Wednesday, PHL time), defeating the Nets 107-86 in the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Heat forward LeBron James, who earlier Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time) lost out on the NBA's MVP trophy, which went to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, scored a game-high 22 points.

But James was just part of a balanced attack that also included forward Chris Bosh (15 points, 11 rebounds) and guards Ray Allen (19 points), Dwyane Wade (14 points) and Mario Chalmers (12 points).

In addition, Heat forward Chris Anderson contributed with seven points and four blocks. But he suffered a right knee contusion in the fourth quarter and did not return.

The Heat pulled away in the third quarter, when they shot 70.6 percent from the floor and outscored the Nets 33-23. That gave Miami a 79-66 lead, and the Nets never seriously threatened again.

Brooklyn was led by guards Deron Williams (17 points) and Joe Johnson (17 points).

Game two is set for Thursday night (Friday, PHL time) in Miami.



The Heat, who swept the Charlotte Bobcats in four games in the first round of the playoffs, had eight days in between games to rest their players, including James (thigh bruise) and shooting guard Dwyane Wade (hamstring injury).

James leads his personal postseason matchup with Nets forward Paul Pierce 14-12. Pierce was held to eight points on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).

Nets center Kevin Garnett was held scoreless for the first time in his playoff career. He played 16 minutes.

Brooklyn, which was stretched to seven games in its first-round matchup against the Toronto Raptors, had just one day in between games.

The first quarter featured three lead changes before the Heat emerged on top 22-20. The Nets kept Miami from scoring any fast-break points, but the Heat had a 14-6 advantage on points in the paint. Both teams shot at least 50 percent from the floor.

Miami stretched its advantage in the second quarter, but only slightly, taking a 46-43 into halftime. Brooklyn again kept Miami off the fast break - just two points - but the Heat pounded the ball inside.

The Heat had a 26-10 edge on first-half points in the paint. Meanwhile, the Nets got more points from the perimeter, making six of 15 on 3-point attempts (40 percent). The Heat sank 3-of-13 attempts from long distance (23.1 percent).

Miami, which never led by more than seven points in any of its four regular-season games against Brooklyn this season, had an 11-point advantage midway through the second quarter. - Reuters


The scores:

HEAT 107 - James 22, Allen 19, Bosh 15, Wade 14, Chalmers 12, Battier 8, Andersen 7, Cole 6, Haslem 2, Beasley 2, Lewis 0, Jones 0, Douglas 0

NETS 86 - Williams 17, Johnson 17, Thornton 11, Livingston 9, Pierce 8, Anderson 6, Teletovic 5, Kirilenko 5, Blatche 4, Plumlee 2, Gutierrez 2, Garnett 0

Miami        22-24-33-28
Brooklyn    20-23-23-20