MIAMI -- The Miami Heat showed little rust despite an 8-day lay-off and went on to handle the Brooklyn Nets, 107-86, in the opener their Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena.
LeBron James led all scorers with 22 while Ray Allen drilled 4-of-7 threes for 19 off the bench. Chris Bosh registered 15 points and 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade finished with 14, and Shane Battier, who was inserted in the starting lineup in lieu of Udonis Haslem, added 8.
The Heat were blistering on the field, shooting 42 of 74 field goals (56.8 percent) and 9-of-23 from three point range (39.1 percent). They also held the Nets to just 33 of 70 field goals (47.1 percent)
"I think the most positive thing was the rhythm that we were in. It seemed like we didn't take much time at all," James told NBA.com after the rout.
Joe Johnson and Deron Williams each had 17 to pace the visiting Nets. Marcus Thornton had 11 and Paul Pierce pitched in 8, but Kevin Garnett was held scoreless.
Game 2 of this best-of-7 series is Thursday night (Friday AM in Manila) at the American Airlines Arena.
Photo: LeBron James splits two Nets defenders in Game 1 of the East semis at the American Airlines Arena. Miami trounced Brooklyn, 107-96.
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