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| Miami Heat |
The day was special for the Heat, who first hung from the ceiling of the flag field in the Eastern Conference champion, then won the match to their rivals, the Celtics, and also discovered in the rookie guard Norris Cole a new idol .
But the Miami team that has showed the chiaroscuro in his game, and had to be a young man of 23 years, Cole, formed at Cleveland State University, which give a lesson to the "Big Three" of how to control the pressure at decisive moments.
So when you got the turning points in the last seconds of the game, fans who packed the American Airlines Arena, Miami, began to sing the song of "MVP, MVP, MVP".
Something that never happened with a rookie who has played just two games in the NBA and that he has companions to three of the great stars of the league: the LeBron James, Dwyane Wade shooting guard and power forward Chris Bosh.
Had it not been for the maturity, coolness, composure and wisdom of Cole, Miami had suffered a humiliating defeat by his nearest rival in the Conference after left to snatch a lead of 20 points.
James scored 26 points, grabbed six rebounds and five assists, as the leader of the attack of Heat (2-0), who was always in control of the marker and the pace of the game but suffered in the last minute under pressure from attack Celtics.
Norris was then emerged as the perfect player, who responded with maturity to the challenge of having to run the game. Also point out offensive inspired to get 20 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter.
With the score 108-105 partial, the rookie guard scored two straight baskets and two points from the line staff to secure the victory and keep his team undefeated.
Wade finished the game with 24 points and eight assists. The Heat also received support from Bosh, who scored a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics (0-2), who played their second game without starting forward Paul Pierce, had vetoed in the guard Ray Allen to its highest points scorer to provide 28 (8-12, 6-8, 6-6).
Point guard Rajon Rondo led the Boston game and responded with a double-double of 22 points and 12 assists, but committed seven turnovers, which hurt the Celtics.
The losing streak for the Lakers cut thanks to the Spanish power forward Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant were again the dominant players and imposed their class against the Utah Jazz, who won by 96-71 at Staples Center, Los Angeles.
Bryant was the leading scorer to get 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists, recovered the ball and cap, while Gasol, in the 37 minutes he played, scored 22 points, nine rebounds, five blocks and two steals.
The first victory of the season also gave some comfort to Mike Brown, the new coach of the Lakers, who replaced the legendary Phil Jackson and you know the pressure you feel when you are in front of a historic team and winner.
They have the same pressure, Nate McMillan, the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, who despite being without guard Brandon Roy was franchise - retired - have responded positively and won their second consecutive win by beating 101 -79 to Sacramento.
The pairing of Gerald Wallace and forwards LaMarcus Aldridge responded again as leaders of the attacking team to provide 25 and 24 points respectively.
Wallace played 36 minutes and came close to getting a double-double to achieve eight rebounds, the same brand that Aldridge did in that paragraph, and the veteran pivot Marcus Camby nine balls got caught under the basket.
The Kings (1-1), who have the youngest team in the NBA with an average of just over 24 years and with 10 players who have played only two seasons, were led by power forward DeMarcus Cousins, who got a double- double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Serbian Vladimir Radmanovic forward made his debut with the Atlanta Hawks and scored 17 points, and his new team won by beating 70-106 in the season opener against the New Jersey Nets (1-1).
The power forward Al Horford, who married last Saturday in his native country with the exmiss Universe Amelia Vega, enjoyed success as a wedding gift from the computer to provide eight points and four rebounds.
The Brandon Jennings added 24 basis points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds and led the attack of the Milwaukee Bucks (1-1), who won by 98-95 to the Minnesota Timberwolves (0-2).
