DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — LeWho?
Chris Bosh & Co. are cruising without their former MVP.
Bosh had 30 points and eight rebounds and Mario Chalmers scored 20 off the bench to lead the Miami Heat past the Philadelphia 76ers 114-96 on Saturday night.
Dwyane Wade had nine points and 10 assists to help the Heat to a 2-0 start in their post-LeBron James era.
“Everyone is getting opportunities, which is a little different than we’ve had,” Wade said.
Tony Wroten had 21 points and 10 assists, and Brandon Davies scored 18 points for the winless Sixers.
Expected to challenge the 82-game mark for worst record in NBA history, the Sixersalready 0-3 and could add to that winless streak with three more home games in the next week.
The Sixers gamely tried to keep up with the Eastern Conference champions and trailed only 87-83 at the end of the third quarter.
But the Heat had too much offensive power inside and out (12 of 24 3s), overwhelming the Sixers.
“Forty-eight minutes is a very long game for the group we have,” Sixers coach Brett Brown said before the game. “From an experience and resume perspective, navigating through 48 minutes of an NBA game is really difficult.”
The Heat were happy to make it that much harder.
A year ago, the Sixers made their first 11 shots and raced to leads of 19-0 and 26-4 en route to a stunning opening-night win against the Heat.
The Wells Fargo Center was packed again, and the Heat was the opponent. That’s about where similarities ended.
Chalmers made a pair of big 3s in the fourth to help the Heat pull away, including one with 3:20 left that made it 108-92 and sent the crowd heading to exits.
“When you add new faces to a team, guys are trying to find their own way and find where they can be comfortable in the offense,” coach Erik Spoelstra said.
The 76ers gave the fans a brief glimpse of a potential upset when they tied the game three times in the third and went ahead 82-80 on Wroten’s driving layup with 3:24 left in the quarter.
Chalmers hit all four shots in the fourth and the Heat made 10 of 20 shots from the floor to pull away. The Heat had 33 assists on 41 baskets, and pushed aside the Sixers despite getting beat on the boards (37-35) and blocks (10-0).
The Sixers made 24 turnovers and shot only 30 percent from 3-point range.
Nerlens Noel, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2013 draft, made his home debut for the Sixers. He sat out last season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at Kentucky. He scored two points.
“I’ve got to make sure my body can get used to it,” he said. “I think it’s just a matter of time.”
TIP INS:
76ers: Owner Joshua Harris declined comment on a report in The Daily Mirror that he was in talks to buy the Crystal Palace soccer club of the Premier League. “I never comment on business dealings that aren’t fully announced and transacted. That’s the way it is,” he said. … Former 76ers great Julius Erving was at the game.
Heat: Spoelstra said he respected the way Brown has developed players and tried to instill a winning attitude for a team headed toward a lean season. “From a coaching standpoint, you’re always trying to drive them and I think coach Brown has done that,” Spoelstra said. “What you see is an incredible motor. These guys are active, they play fast, they play hard.” … Miami F Josh McRoberts made his debut after sitting out the entire preseason because of toe surgery.
GAME BALL: NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams thanked the crowd for the “noise you bring” in a pregame speech. Carter-Williams, still sidelined as he recovers from shoulder surgery, also presented a team jersey to Little League World Series pitching sensation Mo’ne Davis. The 76ers introduced the Bill Campbell Broadcast Booth in honor of their former announcer. Campbell died in October. He was 91. The Sixers also wore a No. 11 patch in honor of former star Caldwell Jones.
UP NEXT:
76ers: Host Houston on Monday.
Heat: Visit Toronto on Sunday.
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