SPORTS
Best of the NBA's opening night
![Howard, driving vs. Dallas, had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the first game and 33 and 14 in the second.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/31/2012-10-30-dwight-howard-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Howard, driving vs. Dallas, had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the first game and 33 and 14 in the second.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images![Miami Heat small forward LeBron James shoots over Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce during the first half at American Airlines Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-lebron-wide-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Miami Heat small forward LeBron James shoots over Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce during the first half at American Airlines Arena.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire![Washington Wizards shooting guard Jordan Crawford charges into Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-jordan-crawford-3_4.jpg?width=497&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Washington Wizards shooting guard Jordan Crawford charges into Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.
David Richard, US Presswire![Bryant goes up for a difficult shot against the Mavs.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/31/2012-10-30-kobe-bryant2-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant goes up for a difficult shot against the Mavs.
Jae C. Hong, AP![Miami Heat small forward LeBron James is pressured by Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce during the first half at American Airlines Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-lebron-posting-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Miami Heat small forward LeBron James is pressured by Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce during the first half at American Airlines Arena.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire![Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-dion-waiters-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.
David Richard, US Presswire![Bryant posts up against the Mavs' O.J. Mayo.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/31/2012-10-30-kobe-bryant-3_4.jpg?width=495&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant posts up against the Mavs' O.J. Mayo.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, US Presswire![Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo drives to the basket as Miami Heat small forward Shane Battier defends the play during the first half at American Airlines Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-rajon-rondo-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo drives to the basket as Miami Heat small forward Shane Battier defends the play during the first half at American Airlines Arena.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire![Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade dunks against the Celtics in the preseason.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-dwyane-wade-3_4.jpg?width=496&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade dunks against the Celtics in the preseason.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire![Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (left) and shooting guard Dion Waiters (right) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-cavs-celebrate-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (left) and shooting guard Dion Waiters (right) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.
David Richard, US Presswire![Kevin Garnett drives against Chris Bosh at American Airlines Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-kevin-garnett-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kevin Garnett drives against Chris Bosh at American Airlines Arena.
Chris Trotman, Getty Images![Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Tristan Thompson dunks in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-tristan-thompson-3_4.jpg?width=496&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Tristan Thompson dunks in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.
David Richard, US Presswire![Miami Heat shooting guard Ray Allen (34) drives to the basket as Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett and shooting guard Leandro Barbosa defend during the second half at American Airlines Arena. 20121030_kkt_su8_170.jpg](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-ray-allen-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Miami Heat shooting guard Ray Allen (34) drives to the basket as Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett and shooting guard Leandro Barbosa defend during the second half at American Airlines Arena. 20121030_kkt_su8_170.jpg
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire![The Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem defends against the Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo (9) during the first half of Tuesday's game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-heat-jump-3_4.jpg?width=496&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem defends against the Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo (9) during the first half of Tuesday's game.
J Pat Carter, AP![Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (left), power forward Chris Bosh (center), small forward LeBron James (right) pose after receiving their NBA championship rings Tuesday night.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/gameon/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-heat-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (left), power forward Chris Bosh (center), small forward LeBron James (right) pose after receiving their NBA championship rings Tuesday night.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire![Washington Wizards shooting guard Trevor Ariza knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/10/30/2012-10-30-trevor-ariza-16_9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Washington Wizards shooting guard Trevor Ariza knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.
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