AccuScore will be simulating the delayed/cancelled NBA season as it was originally scheduled.
The final two teams kick off their seasons while Dwyane Wade posts an early candidate for signature performance of the year on Day 3 of the NBA lockout season.
Miami Heat 111, Orlando Magic 97
Tonight was Dwyane Wade’s turn to shine for Miami. The guard had 47 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals to lead the Heat to a win. LeBron James played the super sidekick with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Orlando wasn’t able to keep up offensively with Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard combining for 47 points, but only one other Magic player scoring in double figures (Brandon Bass with 10). Orlando starts the season 0-2.
Utah Jazz 97, Memphis 84
The Jazz moved to 2-0 and pushed Memphis to 0-2 with a win. Utah again won with balanced scoring with seven players scoring at least eight points led by Al Jefferson’s 17 points and 11 rebounds. Memphis shot just 41.8 percent as a team and committed nearly twice as many turnovers as Utah. Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay combined for 42 points.
Portland Trail Blazers 109, Denver Nuggets 104
These two teas were the last in the NBA to open their seasons. These two teams completed a draft day trade swapping point guards as part of a three team deal that also included Dallas. Denver will be shorthanded this season without three of its players gone to China (Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler). Portland had three players scoring 20+ points in LaMarcus Aldridge, West Matthews, and Gerald Wallace. Raymond Felton had 12 points in his Portland debut. Al Harringon was the leading scorer for Denver while Andre Miller had 16 points and 7 assists in his return to Denver. Rookie Jordan Hamilton had 14 points on 5-6 shooting for the Nuggets.
