The Miami Heat used a 10-0 run in an ugly and sometimes testy first quarter to take a 25-20 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers after 12 minutes at American Airlines Arena on Thursday night. LeBron James scored six points, on 2-of-5 shooting, and had four rebounds and four assists in the opening quarter. He also drew a technical foul on Josh McRoberts, who delivered a forearm shiver to James after a foul by Metta World Peace.
Shane Battier made his second start in 14 games this season, in part to help guard Kobe Bryant as the 6'8" Battier has done for so many years with Houston Rockets. Bryant missed his first five shots from the field en route to just four points in the first quarter. The Lakers shot just 27.3% in the opening quarter (six of 22).
Pau Gasol led the Lakers 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, as he was able to find a few crevices in the interior of the Heat defense. Gasol also pulled down four rebounds in 12 minutes, and amazingly took two three-point attempts, making one.
Miami missed their first four shots of the game before Mario Chalmers hit a three-pointer from the corner two and a half minutes into the game. The Heat shot 40.9% (nine for 22) in the opening quarter.
Andrew Bynum had two points and two rebounds in seven minutes, but also committed two reaching fouls on back-to-back possessions for Miami that resulted in an early trip to the bench.
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