The Nets will not be going 82-0 this season. The Miami Heat made that clear early in Sunday afternoon's 101-78 victory at the Prudential Center. After Brook Lopez scored on the first possession of the game, Miami took control with a 15-2 run, and never led by less than 13 after the first quarter.
The Nets had 19 offensive rebounds in the game and took 18 more shots than Heat, but shot just 35 percent from the field, while allowing Miami to shoot 62 percent through the first three quarters.
Lopez led the Nets with 20 points, Devin Harris added 13 points and six assists, and Derrick Favors recorded his first career double-double, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds (10 offensive) in 24 minutes off the bench.
The Nets got zero points on 0-for-7 shooting from their starting forwards. LeBron James led the Heat with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Chris Bosh had one rebound to go with his 18 points. Dwyane Wade had 17, six and seven. In a post-game tweet, James credited the Heat defense: "Continuing to improve step by step! Great Defensive game by Us today! Lock down city!!"
For his part, Mikhail Prokhorov issued a statement just before returning to Moscow: “I am very pleased with the team’s progress and look forward to watching the Nets reach their full potential as the season continues. I had a great time at the games and being a part of all the fun. I’ll be back …”
- Boxscore - NBA.com
- Game Highlights (Video) - NBA.com
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Nets don't measure up to Heat - Tom Canavan - AP
- Heat end Nets' unbeaten start with easy victory - Brian Mahoney - AP
- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade help Heat hand Nets first loss of season, 101-78 - Michael Fensom - Star-Ledger
- In 101-78 win over NJ Nets, Miami Heat's Big Three show they're worth the hoopla - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
- Fans may be hot and cold on the Heat, but what a show - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- James & Co. take charge from start - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Favors doubles his fun - Fred Kerber - New York Post
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LeBron shows Nets fans what they missed - George Willis - New York Post
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It's not just Big 3, it's great 'D' - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- LeBron James scores 20 points as Heat roll Nets - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
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Yawn of a New Day - Filip Bondy - New York Daily News
- James, Who Rejected Nets, Then Buries Them - Thomas Kaplan - New York Times
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LeBron shows Nets fans what they're missing - Cody Derespina - New York Newsday
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For Heat, boredom is stiffest competition - Michael Wallace - ESPN
- Rapid Reaction: Heat 101, Nets 78 - Chris Sheridan - ESPN New York
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LeBron James puts on show for team that coveted him this summer (with Video) - Chris Sheridan - ESPN New York
- 'Superfriends,' Super D and a Silver Lining - Ben Couch - New Jersey Nets
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Some Heat of the moment reflections - Al Iannazzone - The Record
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Nets notes: LeBron James on Carmelo Anthony - Al Iannazzone - The Record
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This Game Felt Like Last Year - Al Iannazzone - In the 'Zzone
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Nets didn't have enough to get or beat James - Al Iannazzone - The Nets Insider
- Post Game Plus (Video) - Nancy Newman - YES Network
- From the Booth (Video) - Marv Albert & Mike Fratello - YES Network
- Terrence Williams Interview (Video) - Jessica Taff - YES Network
- Brook Lopez Interview (Video) - Jessica Taff - YES Network
- The Marquee Three run over Nets (with Post-Game Audio) - Gregory Hrinya - Examiner
- Miami Heat's Bosh displays his offense - Joseph Goodman - Miami Herald
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Miami Heat's Big Z still has lot 'left in the tank' - Joseph Goodman - Miami Herald
- Everyone chips in — including 'Big Z' — as Heat cruises past Nets - Ethan J. Skolnick - Palm Beach Post
- Game Notes: Heat at Nets - Franklyn Calle and Ryne Nelson - SLAM
- Dunk of the Night - LeBron James (Video) - NBA.com
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Photo Gallery - Nets vs. Heat - AP