Freshman shines as Philly trips Miami five
PHILADELPHIA—Michael Carter-Williams had an NBA debut to remember, notching 22 points, 12 assists and nine steals to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the reigning champion Miami Heat, 114-110, on Wednesday night.
The rookie out of Syracuse nearly upstaged Allen Iverson on a night Philly celebrated the retired star’s spectacular career.
“You see what he can bring on a big stage,” 76ers rookie head coach Brett Brown said.
In the fourth quarter, Carter-Williams picked up two steals, harassed LeBron James in the lane and sealed the win from the free-throw line.
“Everything was clicking tonight,” Carter-Williams said. “If we can consistently play together, then we can be a good team.”
Spencer Hawes scored 24 points for the Sixers, who defied expectations to start their season.
As the NBA season tipped off, the over-under out of Las Vegas for total wins for the 76ers this year is 16.5, the lowest of any team in the league.
Against the two-time defending champion Heat, that didn’t seem to be bothering anyone in Philly.
Miami guard Dwyane Wade sat out to rest his sore knees. Coach Erik Spoelstra says he wanted to give Wade an extra day to recover with the Heat playing on consecutive nights. Wade scored 13 points for the Heat in their 107-95 win over Chicago on Tuesday.
At Oakland, Klay Thompson scored a career-high 38 points as Golden State whipped Los Angeles, 125-94, to open their season.
Kevin Durant scored 22 of his 42 points from the free throw line, including a pair with 6.4 seconds remaining, to lift Oklahoma City to a 101-98 win over the Utah Jazz at Salt Lake City.
Dwight Howard had 17 points and a career-high-equaling 26 rebounds in his Houston debut as the Rockets beat the Charlotte Bobcats, 96-83. AP
OTHER RESULTS: Spurs 101, Grizzlies 104; Timberwolves 120, Magic 115, OT; Cavaliers 98, Nets 94; Raptors 93, Celtics 87; Knicks 90, Bucks 83; Pistons 113, Wizards 102; Pacers 95, Pelicans 90; Mavericks 118, Hawks 109
