- Final0BKN
CLE94
9894
98 - Final1MIA
PHI110
114110
114 - Final2BOS
TOR87
9387
93 - Final3WSH
DET102
113102
113 - Final4MIL
NY83
9083
90 - Final5CHA
HOU83
9683
96 - FinalOTOT6ORL
MIN115
120115
120 - Final7IND
NO95
9095
90 - Final8ATL
DAL109
118109
118 - Final9MEM
SA94
10194
101 - Final10OKC
UTAH101
98101
98 - Final11POR
PHX91
10491
104 - Final12DEN
SAC88
9088
90 - Final13LAL
GS94
12594
125
Final
7:00 PM ET, October 30, 2013
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Top Performers
Miami: L. James 25 Pts, 4 Reb, 13 Ast
Philadelphia: M. Carter-Williams 22 Pts, 7 Reb, 12 Ast, 9 Stl
Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers hold on, stun Dwyane Wade-less Heat
PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Carter-Williams had Allen Iverson cheering from his suite and left LeBron James impressed.
Not a bad start for MCW.
It was an even better one for the Sixers.
More Heat-76ers Coverage
The two-time defending champion Heat succumbed to the youthful 76ers and Michael Carter-Williams' epic night, writes Brian Windhorst. Blog
• Stats & Info: MCW's historic debut
Carter-Williams had a debut to remember, using 22 points, 12 assists, and nine steals to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Miami Heat 114-110 on Wednesday night.
The rookie out of Syracuse nearly upstaged Iverson on a night Philly feted his spectacular career.
"You see what he can bring on a big stage," 76ers rookie coach Brett Brown said.
MCW was the MVP of the fourth quarter, picking up two more steals, harassing James in the lane, and sealing the win from the free-throw line.
Spencer Hawes scored 24 points and put the Sixers ahead for good with a 3-pointer, then a driving layup for a 109-108 lead with 2:01 left.
"Everything was clicking tonight," Carter-Williams said. "If we can consistently play together, then we can be a good team."
The guys in the locker room might be the only ones who think that.
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, no one in Philly cared.
James missed five of six shots in the fourth, losing the ball on one drive down the middle, then blowing a 6-footer on the next possession. Shane Battier missed all seven 3-pointers in the game and the Heat missed 10 straight shots in the fourth -- after scoring a whopping 45 points in the third.
The Heat needed all those points to rally after the Sixers dominated from the opening tip. They made their first 11 shots and raced to leads of 19-0 and 26-4, putting the champs on their heels a night after they received their rings.
James had 25 points and 13 assists and Chris Bosh scored 22 for Miami.
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 in consecutive nights. Wade scored 13 points for the Heat in their 107-95 win over Chicago on Tuesday.
Carter-Williams also hit four 3-pointers, had seven rebounds and his nine steals set an NBA first-game record.
"I couldn't think of a better way to start your NBA career," James said.
For most of the game, the Sixers played more like the team in the hunt for the championship, not one in full blown rebuilding mode. Iverson, Charles Barkley, Julius Erving and Moses Malone were among the former Sixers on hand for opening night.
The Heat surely could have used Wade. Wade, though, had walked into locker room both knees wrapped in ice and an understanding it was too early in the season to push himself. He said it was "just being smart."
"It was not pre-planned, it was something our trainers and coaches came to me with," Wade said. "It's early in the season, it's just a precaution."
James said Wade could take all the time he needed.
"If he needs to take the second game of the season, the 30th game, 50th game, 80th game, that's the way it is," James said.
After all, the Heat were a double-digit favorite to rout the Sixers, and expected to have little trouble against one of the worst teams in the NBA.
Not so fast.
Evan Turner scored 26 points and the Sixers dominated only hours after Iverson announced his retirement, ending a 14-year career.
Carter-Williams had a steal and dunk to open the game, Turner dunked over James, and Hawes tossed in a layup for a stunning 19-0 run to open the game. James finally banked in a shot with 7:07 left in the first to end Miami's scoring drought.
The Sixers still led 29-11 even with a lineup that included Tony Wroten, Lavoy Allen and Daniel Orton on the court.
Who? Exactly.
"We've got a lot of pride, the guys that have been here and done it," Hawes said.
The Heat, though, became the Heat and used a 14-0 run in the second quarter to pull to 51-49 at halftime.
James hit a 3 that made it a one-point game, and Udonis Haslem's inside layup gave the Heat their first lead of the game, 60-59. Ray Allen hit all four 3-pointers in the quarter, James made three and the Heat shot a sizzling 10 of 13 from 3-point range in the third. They finished 16 of 22 (73 percent) from the floor overall and stretched the lead to 94-85.
"We're a comfortable team, we always feel like we can win a game," James said.
Just not this one.
Game notes
The Heat didn't land in Philadelphia until after 3 a.m. ... Patti LaBelle and rapper Meek Mill were at the game. Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson and Villanova coach Jay Wright also attended the game. ... The Sixers will retire Iverson's No. 3 on March 1.
SPONSORED HEADLINES
Photo Wire
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 30: Forward Chris Anderson #11 of the Miami Heat warms up prior to the game against the...
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Around The Association
MVP: Oscar Robertson is the only player in league history to record a triple-double in his first game. Michael Carter-Williams fell a steal short of joining him. As it is, the point guard scored 22 to go with 12 assists and nine steals, the latter the most ever in an NBA debut.
X factor: Phillys shot selection. The Sixers spent the past few seasons at or near the top of the NBA in midrange attempts. Not on Wednesday. Philadelphia attacked the rim, earned 24 free-throw attempts, and hit 8 of its 21 3-pointers.
That was ... unlikely: The Sixers opened with a 19-0 run. Miami put up 45 points in the third. Ray Allen hit 4 3-pointers himself in the last 1:43 of the period, including one at the buzzer from 48-feet. And the Sixers -- the NBAs consensus doormat -- used a late 13-1 run to topple the defending champs.
Next 5 Games
Miami | Philadelphia |
---|---|
11/01 @BKN 8:00pm 11/03 WSH 6:00pm 11/05 @TOR 7:00pm 11/07 LAC 7:00pm 11/09 BOS 7:30pm |
11/01 @WSH 7:00pm 11/02 CHI 7:30pm 11/04 GS 7:00pm 11/06 WSH 7:00pm 11/08 CLE 7:00pm |
Complete Schedule: Miami | Philadelphia |
Research Notes
Michael Carter-Williams had 12 assists tonight, the 2nd-most by any player in their career debut in NBA history. [+]Most Assists in Career Debut - NBA History
Close [X] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Heat scored 30 points in the 1st and 4th quarters combined (80 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters combined). [+]Heat Points by Quarter - Wednesday at 76ers
Close [X] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Carter-Williams had 9 steals, the most by any player in NBA history in their career debut. [+]Most Steals in Career Debut - NBA History
Close [X] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Carter-Williams is the 3rd player in NBA history with at least 22 points, 12 assists, 9 steals and 7 rebounds in a game, the first since Johnny Moore in 1985. [+]At Least 22 Pts, 12 Ast, 9 Stl, 7 Reb - Single Game in NBA History
Close [X] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From Elias: As a Spurs assistant, Brett Brown couldn't beat the Heat in the NBA Finals last season, but did so in his first game as a head coach. [+]Defeated defending champion in coaching debut - NBA history
Close [X] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Heat have never overcome a deficit larger than 12 points at the end of the 1st quarter in the "Big 3" era. [+]Heat Largest End of 1st Quarter Deficit Overcome - To Win Game Since 2010-11
Close [X] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Heat trailed by 19 points at the end of the 1st quarter. That's their 2nd-largest deficit at the end of the 1st quarter in the "Big 3" era. [+]Largest Deficit at End of 1st Quarter - Heat Since 2010-11
Close [X] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ESPN Stats & Information |
© 2013 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.