LeBron scores 18 as Heat rout Pistons

Associated Press

MIAMI

The Big 3 were together for merely three minutes. LeBron James and Chris Bosh more than picked up the slack after Dwyane Wade’s preseason debut came to a quick end.

And with that, this era for the Miami Heat got off to a promising, but not perfect, start.

James and Bosh combined for 38 points in their exhibition debuts, and the Heat easily beat the Detroit Pistons 105-89 in the preseason opener for both teams Tuesday night.

Still, the meaningless game may have major significance for Miami, after Wade limped off just 3:17 into the game with a strained right hamstring. He went into the locker room shortly afterward, did not return, and though coach Erik Spoelstra said it wasn’t serious, Wade will be re-evaluated in about a week.

Clearly, the Heat will not rush Wade back, not with three weeks until games start counting.

“Like I told him, if we’re going to have an injury, I’d rather have it now than to have it when we really get started,” James said.

Bosh had 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting. James, the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP who took his championship pursuit from Cleveland to Miami this summer, added 18, and the Heat weren’t challenged after running out to a 20-point lead by halftime.

“I like the fact that we got better tonight,” James said. “We didn’t waste an opportunity to get better. That’s what it’s about.”