Philippines, 11 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Opening Night: Lakers fall, Heat rises


PhilBoxing.com




The official Los Angeles Lakers debut of prized offseason acquisition Dwight Howard and Steve Nash fell for naught Tuesday night when the fabled purple-and-gold franchise fell to the Dallas Mavericks, 99-91, at the Staples Center.

The upset was only the fourth Lakers' opening night loss in 21 years. And this one was especially shocking since the Dallas Mavericks limped into Los Angeles without ace forward Dirk Nowitzki and center Chris Kaman.

The hulking 6-foot-10, 265-pound Howard, who is recuperating from a surgically-repaired back, showed the might that has made him the game's premiere center -- 19 points and 10 rebounds. But the ex-Magic slotman fumbled 11 of his 14 free throws and couldn't bail the Lakers, who were 0-8 in preseason schedule.

Pau Gasol finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds while teammate Kobe Bryant chipped in 22 in a losing effort.

The Lakers opened the 67th NBA season looking for their 17th title, which would place them in a tie with bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics.

Darren Collison paced the Mavericks with 17 points.

MEANWHILE, out East, the Miami Heat opened their title defense with a 120-107 blasting of the Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Arena.

Dwyane Wade topscored with 29 points while LeBron James added 26 and 10 rebounds. James sat out the remaining eight-plus minutes of the fourth quarter due to some cramping, the same fate he suffered sporadically during Miami's triumphant 2012 NBA Finals run against the Oklahoma City Thunder this pasr June.

Ray Allen, who made waves and enemies in the offseason by migrating from Boston to Miami, sizzled in his Heat debut, firing 19 points in a terrific display that reinforced his place as one of the best pure shooters the NBA has ever seen.

Celtics leader Paul Pierce scored 23 points while Rajon Rondo had 20 and 13 dimes. Leandro Barbosa, a Celtic addition during the offseason, accounted for 16.

The highlight of the evening was the ring ceremony, where Miami Heat the franchise's second championship banner since 2006. Team owner Mickey Arison handed out the lavish rings which was decked with 219 diamonds each and valued in the tens of thousands of dollars. (Maloney Samaco)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.