Game #2: @ Miami

[Special_K19]

The Cavs are down at the start of the second half, but they should come back and make it interesting. I do not want to see the Cavs start 0-2 this season. With such high hopes these two losses would hurt, but it would still be very easy to come back from.

[Special_K19]

Yep. They lost again. Hopefully they're just getting it out of their systems. :D
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Miami 92, Cleveland 86
Wade Sparkles for Heat


MIAMI, Nov. 4 (Ticker) -- The presence of Shaquille O'Neal filled American Airlines Arena and helped his teammates fill the boxscore.

Making his home debut before a record crowd, O'Neal scored 17 points and created all sorts of opportunities for his teammates as the Heat maintained control throughout a 92-86 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Since acquiring O'Neal over the summer, the Heat have sold approximately 6,000 season tickets, doubling their total from last season. When 1,000 standing room tickets went on sale for the superstar center's home debut, they were gobbled up immediately.

The standees pushed the crowd to 20,235, a record for a regular season game at the arena. And they saw the sort of impact the 7-1, 325-pound O'Neal always has on the game.

Despite a hamstring twinge, O'Neal played 32 minutes and collected nine rebounds and three blocks. Commanding a double-team, he opened the floor for teammates Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Rasual Butler.

Wade scored 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting, repeatedly beating the defense on dribble drives for layups or pull-up jumpers. On one occasion, he stopped short and sent Eric Snow - one of the better defenders in the NBA - tumbling as he went for the fake.

Haslem scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, when the Heat pulled away. Butler made all five of his shots and scored 11 points.

The Heat never trailed for the second straight game, shooting 47 percent (36-of-76). They are 2-0 after an 0-7 start last season.

Drew Gooden had 24 points and 11 rebounds and LeBron James scored 21 points for the Cavaliers (0-2), who started 0-5 a year ago.

[Special_K19]

:cheer:Basketballs:cheer:
Drew Gooden - Now this is more like it. 24 points, 11 boards, overall a good night for him.

No one else deserves anything. Plenty of lackluster performances.

:boneheadAirballs:bonehead
Jeff McInnis - Stuggled again, although less so, and let Dwayne Wade have his way all night.