fb-pixelNBA roundup: Heat beat Nets, 107-86 - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

NBA roundup: Heat beat Nets, 107-86

LeBron James was pressured by Nets forward Paul Pierce during the first half.Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY

Turns out, the Miami Heat can beat the Brooklyn Nets.

And rest hardly led to rust for the two-time defending NBA champions.

LeBron James scored 22 points, Ray Allen added 19, and the Heat stayed perfect in this postseason by beating the Brooklyn Nets, 107-86, in Miami Tuesday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

It was the first win for Miami in five meetings with Brooklyn this season.

‘‘It’s one,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘‘But I liked the energy, the activity.’’

Chris Bosh scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 14, and Mario Chalmers had 12 for the Heat, who recorded at least one regular-season win against every team except Brooklyn, losing four times by a total of 12 points.

Advertisement



A 24-9 run in the third quarter blew things open for the Heat, who hadn’t played in eight days after sweeping Charlotte in the opening round.

Deron Williams and Joe Johnson scored 17 points each for the Nets, who got only 8 from Paul Pierce and no points from Kevin Garnett in 16 minutes.

Spurs 116, Trail Blazers 92 — Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and host San Antonio never trailed in a resounding victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Kawhi Leonard had 16 points and Tim Duncan added 12 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio.

More importantly for the Spurs, their bench contributed mightily after being virtually non-existent in the series against Dallas.

Marco Belinelli had 19 points and Aron Baynes and Patty Mills had 10 points apiece.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 points and 14 rebounds and Damian Lillard had 17 points for Portland, but the All-Star duo combined for just 17 points in the first half as the Spurs built a 26-point lead.

Advertisement



San Antonio and Portland had not met in the playoffs since the Western Conference finals in 1999.