James and Bosh Lead the Heat for the Win at Sprint Center
The Miami Heat continues the league undefeated at 2-0, even with only two of the Big Three.
Power forward Chris Bosh and small forward Lebron James made a combined 45 points for a 103-96 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, treating the sold-out crowd at Kansas City with a true NBA experience.
Dwayne Wade, another member of the Heats famous Big Three, sat out with a sore hamstring from the Heat’s exhibition opener. Once the three members of the trio are playing, nobody knows how compelling the team will be.
James didn’t consider anything about the trio, saying "We're playing good basketball for what we have now. When we get 100 percent healthy, we'll be able to see."
Bosh scored 23 points in the game against the Thunder, including 9 out of 12 points scored by the Heat in the third quarter. The Heat quickly took the close 55-52 lead at halftime and extended it to 67-56.
James, who played for only 29 minutes, scored 22 points, had 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and one steal and block apiece.
This was a chief occasion for Kansas City, which has craved for an NBA or NHL franchise as a fixed resident since Sprint Center’s opening back in 2007.
Celebrities also attended the game, including Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, coach of the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, Todd Haley and Kansas basketball coach Bill Self. Caught on the “kiss cam,” Self laughed heartily and cooperatively gave his wife, Cindy
Self, a big kiss.
Likely season MVP, Kevin Durant, had 21 points, going 10 for 10 from the line, followed by Russell Westbrook with 18 points.
Durant enjoyed the game saying, “I love the competition. It was fun,” while referring to James.
Thunder coach, Scott Brooks, jokingly said “I think they’re better without Wade.”
Heat members Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem also scored 15 and 17 points, respectively.
Miami stayed behind for a big part of the first half and did lead for the first time until 7’3” Zydrunas Ilgauskas came into the game and made a 3-pointer for the Heat to put them on top, 35-33.
Top performer for the Thunder was Westbrook, with 18 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
The next game for the Heat will be on Saturday, October 9, at 8:30 PM against the San Antonio Spurs.
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