The Miami Heat gained a little revenge for their loss in last year's NBA finals,by spoiling the Dallas Mavericks' championship celebration with a resounding 105-94 victory on the seasons opening day. LeBron James was on fire as Miami ran away with the game,taking a 97-65 lead after three quarters,before Dallas,who never led,made the score respectable in the fourth. The game was part of a five-game Christmas opening to the reduced 66-game season,after the five month lockout during the dispute between players and owners over a collective contract. When the game got underway,finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki and team-mates Jason Kidd and Jason Terry were swept aside by an impressive Heat,who showed why they are favorites for this season. James scored 37 points and had 10 rebounds and six assists while Dwyane Wade contributed 26 points with eight rebounds and six assists. The pattern for the game was set in the first quarter with Miami establishing a 32-17 lead while Dallas had more turnovers than rebounds. Dallas looked to be missing the defensive influence of Tyson Chandler,who they traded to the Knicks,and their biggest off-season arrival,Lamar Odom from the Los Angeles Lakers,was ejected in the third quarter and ended with just four points and four rebounds. Miami began with the same starting line-up that ended Game Six of last season's finals but gave first round draft pick Norris Cole an early chance. The Heat looked improved an a number of areas with Udonis Haslam now back to full fitness and free agent signing Shane Battier making his debut. Lakers lose In Los Angeles,Derrick Rose scored 22 points and hit the go-ahead jump shot with 4.8 seconds to play as the Bulls rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final four minutes to edge Los Angeles Lakers. Luol Deng scored 21 points and blocked Kobe Bryant's short shot right before the buzzer as the Bulls hung on for a thrilling finish to both clubs' first-ever Christmas meeting. Bryant scored 28 points and committed eight turnovers while playing with a torn wrist ligament for the Lakers,who nearly shook off their tumultuous preseason for a surprise win. Instead,Los Angeles was outscored 17-5 in the final.
