Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Kyrie Irving and fellow second-year pro
Tristan Thompson picked up the slack after the Cavaliers squandered a late
double-digit lead, as Cleveland pulled out a 94-84 victory over the Washington
Wizards to open the NBA season. Irving, the reigning Rookie of the Year,
netted 29 points, while Thompson scored seven of his 12 in the final two
minutes of a close game. Thompson also grabbed 10 rebounds for a frountcourt
that earned a 54-39 advantage on the glass. Anderson Varejao was a big
reason behind the discrepancy, pulling down a career-high 23 boards --
12 offensive -- for the Cavs, who went 21-45 and finished in the basement of
the Central Division last season. The Wizards, who had one less victory
than Cleveland, were playing without starters John Wall (knee) and Nene
(foot) and were led by Jordan Crawford's 11 points.
Final Score: Miami 120, Boston 107
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Although he missed a majority of the fourth
quarter with leg cramps, LeBron James tallied 26 points and 10 rebounds in
the defending-champion Miami Heat's 120-107 victory over the Boston Celtics
on NBA's opening night. The 2012 NBA and Finals MVP exited the game late
in the third quarter with cramps, came back at the start of the fourth and
made a deep jumper to give Miami its largest lead, and then exited again
shortly thereafter. Dwyane Wade netted 29 points, while Chris Bosh added
19 points and 10 boards for Miami, which knocked off the Celtics in
seven games during the Eastern Conference finals. Paul Pierce scored 23
points and Rajon Rondo registered 20 points and 13 assists for Boston,
which won last season's season series between its heated rivals, 3-1.
The Sports Network