LeBron makes victorious Miami debut

MIAMI - LeBron James scored 18 points in a triumphant preseason debut for the NBA's Miami Heat on Tuesday, but star guard Dwyane Wade suffered a right hamstring strain in a 105-89 home victory over Detroit.

All eyes have been on the Heat since James joined the club in July, making what is expected to be a formidable NBA force alongside Wade and fellow newcomer Chris Bosh when the season begins on Oct 26 against Boston.

"Everyone has been waiting to see us, to see what we've been doing in practice and bringing it into a game setting," James said. "It was something I've waited for all summer."

But the superstar trio lasted only 3:17 before Wade limped off the floor to the locker room for a medical evaluation on a hamstring that had troubled him for several days, having scoring only two points in the exhibition opener.

"I just felt it pull," Wade said. "It was a little sore coming into the game the last couple days of practice and stuff, so I tried to do everything to make it go away. But it happens.

"I'm excited to see this team to play together. It was only 3:17, but this town will have a lot of time to see the 'Big Three' together," Wade said. "We will see how my body reacts to therapy and check again in a couple of days."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the injury was not serious and that Wade would be evaluated again in a week, still two weeks before the season starts.

"Like I told him, if we're going to have an injury, I'd rather have it now than to have it when we really get started," James said.

James, the NBA Most Valuable Player the past two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, scored 12 points in the first quarter while Bosh scored 12 in the first half to spark Miami to a 58-38 halftime lead.

"As a team, everyone has to pick it up," James said.

The Heat pulled away to a huge lead in the second half before allowing the Pistons to close the gap in the final minutes, James pleased that the team improved and stayed together even after losing Wade early.

"I like the fact that we got better," James said. "We didn't waste an opportunity to get better. That's what it's about."

Bosh finished with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting and grabbed six rebounds while Udonis Haslem contributed 14 points for Miami. Ben Gordon led Detroit with 17 points.

Playmaker James treated Miami supporters to the dynamic moves he displayed for the Cavaliers - 3-point shots, spectacular drives to the hoop, slam dunk set-ups and passes to teammates without looking their way.

"To be able to be back on the court, it was great," James said. "The reception from the fans was awesome and it was great we were able to give them the same energy that they gave us."

A packed-house crowd, far more than what the Heat drew last season as a struggling club, roared for James when he was introduced for the first time as a Miami player.

"You can tell it's an exciting time for this city," James said. "Hopefully we can come through and do things we need to do on the court to keep the fans excited."

Agence France-presse

(China Daily 10/07/2010 page12)