Heat draw first blood vs Mavs

Miami — Chris Bosh held up three fingers after the buzzer sounded to end Miami’s 92-84 win over the Dallas Mavericks yesterday, indicating that the Heat needs three more wins in this NBA finals series to take the championship.

He could also have been indicating the importance of Miami’s “Big Three” of himself, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, who moved a step closer to delivering on the promise that was apparent from the moment they came together in preseason.

James scored 24 points for his first win in five NBA finals games, Wade scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half and the Heat also worked hard defensively, holding the Western Conference champions to their lowest point total of the playoffs.

team effort

“Feels good because it’s the first game and we played well as a team,” James said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. … That’s one in the books. We’re excited about this game. Tomorrow we prepare for Game 2, and I see ways we can get better.”

Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points despite tearing a tendon in the middle finger on his left, non-shooting, hand, which is expected to mean he wears a splint for the remainder of the series.

Shawn Marion had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, while Jason Terry got most of his 12 points in an early flurry. It was Dallas’ fifth straight loss to Miami in finals games, dating to the Heat rally for the 2006 crown.

Dallas held the Heat to 39 percent shooting, Miami’s second-worst showing of the playoffs. However the Mavericks shot 37 percent — by far, their worst night of the postseason offensively.

“We’re a veteran team,” said Nowitzki. “You can’t get down with a loss. You’ve got to come back strong on Thursday (Friday in Manila). If you’re the road team, you’re happy with a split. So we’ve got another opportunity on Thursday to get one. We don’t want to go home down 0-2.”

Bosh scored 19 points and Mario Chalmers added 12 for the Heat, who trailed by eight points early in the third quarter before pulling away.

Miami remains unbeaten — now 9-0 — at home in these playoffs and snapped Dallas’ five-game road postseason winning streak.
outrebounded

Miami outrebounded Dallas 46-36, got a gritty effort on both ends from reserve Mike Miller — who left with his left arm in a sling, but insisted he would be fine — and reaped rewards again from another strong fourth-quarter finish by Wade and James. /ap