Dallas has been selected as the site of NBA All-Star 2010, Commissioner David Stern, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones jointly announced today during a press conference outside the American Airlines Center.

Following the mantra that "everything is bigger in Texas," the 59th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, which will have a seating capacity in excess of 80,000. This collaboration between the NBA, and the ownership groups of the Mavericks and Cowboys, will afford all Mavericks season ticket holders a chance to partake in the pageantry of the NBA All-Star Game. The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities will take place at American Airlines Center, home of the Mavericks. 2010 will mark the first time the All-Star competitions are split between two venues since Houston in 1989 when The Summit hosted All-Star Saturday Night and the Astrodome hosted Sunday's All-Star Game.

"Dallas is a vibrant city with a passionate sports fan base that will embrace the NBA All-Star experience," said Stern. "We appreciate the collaborative efforts of Mark Cuban and Jerry Jones on what will surely be one of the most memorable basketball events of all time."

Pistons power forward Jason Maxiell accepted a contract offer today and will not become a restricted free agent following the season. The deal is for $20 million over four years.

The deadline for him to reach an agreement was today.

Maxiell, 25, was a first-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2005 and has averaged six points and 3.7 rebounds per game in his career.

A season that is starting with such high expectations just started with a thud. The Orlando Magic were in the building Wednesday night, but they were never in the game.

On a day when they were celebrating their 20th anniversary season, they played like the first-year expansion team they honored before the game. That team won only 18 games. This team didn't look much better Wednesday night in a 99-85 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. It was downright embarrassing.

The Magic were hoping to build on their best season in 12 years, but they struggled from the start against the Hawks, playing nothing like a team that expects to contend in the Eastern Conference. They were sluggish and uncertain.

"The last good minute of the night was when they introduced the guys from 20 years ago," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "And we played with about the same amount of energy that those (old) guys had."

They were outshot and outrebounded by the Hawks, who seemed to grab every loose ball. Most of the game was played from a double-digit deficit, and they never were able to stage a serious comeback. Although the Magic never fell more than 19 points behind, they never challenged for the lead after the opening minute. They did close to within six points midway into the fourth quarter, but that rally didn't last very long. Joe Johnson, who led everyone with 25 points, and Josh Smith, made sure the Magic never got any closer.

"They put pressure on us immediately, and we never knew how to respond to it," Magic guard Mickael Pietrus said. "We just didn't play hard enough, and it showed. Maybe this will teach us a lesson."

The Lakers and Andrew Bynum have agreed in principle on a four-year contract extension worth about $58 million, keeping their center of the future in the fold through the 2012-13 season, according to sources familiar with the negotiations who would not speak publicly.

Bynum, who will make $2.8 million this season, will earn close to $42 million over the first three years of his contract extension. The fourth year will be a team option for about $16 million.

Magic COO Alex Martins said construction on the new downtown events center is ahead of schedule with the foundation already poured and about 25 percent of the first-level columns erected. And the first concrete slabs of the concourse should be poured by Thanksgiving. Said Martins: "They're really on a fast schedule for the next 10 months because they want to put as much as they can under roof before hurricane season gets here." The Magic are slated to move into the new arena before the 2010-11 season.

NBA commissioner David Stern did not even wait for a question to be asked when approached by a reporter from Milwaukee before Wednesday night's game between the Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center.

"Are you going to ask me about the arena issue?" said Stern.

Well, now that you mention it . . . 

"I don't want to say I have concerns (about the Bucks and the arena situation)," he said. "I think the normal evolution of our league probably says at some point, there will be a new building in Milwaukee."

How urgent has the arena situation become in Milwaukee? "Only as urgent as Senator Kohl feels it is," said Stern.

The commissioner was here to help the Thunder kick off its first game since the franchise moved from Seattle. But he also took a minute to speak about the Bucks and how the future looks for them in Milwaukee in the long term.

"You know, I haven't looked at the numbers for this season, but I think they're doing well," he said. "Sales are going well. The arena has undergone some improvements . . . some amenities. And they are doing a fine job.

"They hired a new coach. They've made some interesting trades, and a little bit will depend on a combination of how the season goes and how the economy goes."

The Indiana Pacers entered Wednesday's season-opener against the Detroit Pistons thin at a point guard.

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien is keeping his fingers crossed that his top two point guards -- T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack -- can remain healthy at least until Travis Diener, the third point guard, returns from his sore left foot.

"We've been playing Marquis (Daniels) at (point guard) a lot in practice, and he's ready to go if we need him," O'Brien said before the 100-94 loss.

Diener, who missed the entire preseason, has started shooting after practice, but he is still limited.

"I'm hoping I can start practicing relatively soon," Diener said. "Hopefully in the next week or week and a half. It's been frustrating. You always hope to recover a little quicker."

Diener's absence allowed Ford and Jack to get used to O'Brien's system. Jack averaged 29 minutes a game and Ford 27 in the preseason. O'Brien also teamed them in the backcourt at times, with Jack playing shooting guard.

"I think they appreciate the amount of time they're getting," O'Brien said. "I don't hear either one of them complaining. We really need to have the point guards on board from the standpoint of our tempo and also being the key to the defense at the point. Last year, we struggled keeping the ball in front of us at that position."

Jim O'Brien said he has no desire to send forward Josh McRoberts to the team's NBA Development League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. "At this point in time, I want Josh to be with us," O'Brien said. "We practice and he's getting a lot of repetition in our system."

"I'm really a believer in the (D-League)," O'Brien said, "but I think each franchise has to weigh what's best for the individual that has the option of going there. I think he's better off with us."

Clippers center Marcus Camby was inactive for Wednesday night's game and no timetable has been set for his return.

"Hopefully soon," said Camby, who has missed virtually all of the preseason with the flu and then a bruised right heel. "I got the (cortisone) injection last Friday and my thinking was I'm going to wake up and my foot will feel brand new, but that wasn't the case."

"I'm anxious to get started. I don't think I've ever missed an opening night in 13 years," he said. "It'll all be predicated on how I feel (today). Hopefully I can feel good, but it's tough to start out on a back-to-back, Friday and Saturday."

Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins was ruled out for at least six weeks after Sept. 24 knee surgery, but his recovery will take longer.

"I'd say two or three weeks," Atkins, who hits the six-week mark Nov. 5, said of how long before he's back.

Atkins said he's running straight at full speed but still must improve his lateral movement.

The Pacers and forward Danny Granger's representative have two days to agree to a contract extension of up to five years.

Granger said the sides are talking and it wouldn't surprise him if negotiations went down to the wire.

Now that's a way to start off a contract season — or a potential one, at least. Carlos Boozer, who can opt out of his deal with Utah at the end of this season, had a powerful performance in helping to carry the Jazz to an ugly-but-satisfying 98-94 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the NBA season-opener Wednesday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

Boozer said many times during fall camp that he wouldn't talk about possibly becoming a free agent next summer, but it would seem games like his 25-point, 14-rebound season debut can only help pad his resume, the Jazz's record and his bank account.

It was also a performance that could help fans forget last spring's playoff struggles and remind many that he can be a dominant NBA force despite his limited role with Team USA over this summer.

Boozer was just glad to get the season off to a winning start in a rough-and-tumble game between what he called a couple of "scrappy" squads. And he was thrilled to get on the court again, too.

"I just love playing. I don't care where it is. It could be pick-up, rec league, practice, NBA opener, I just love to play, man," Boozer said. "It's exciting to be out there. I've got a bunch of great teammates I'm playing with."

The feeling was mutual after Wednesday's game.

"He was wanting that ball, wasn't he? He really was," said Jazz backup shooting guard Kyle Korver. "That's what you want out of your star power forward. ... He had a monster game."

Andrei Kirilenko didn't get the chance to hear his named called out like five of his Utah Jazz teammates during the team's new-and-improved, blackout with fireworks player introductions on Wednesday night at EnergySolutions Arena. He wasn't a starter. But that didn't mean the versatile forward didn't see plenty of court time. Kirilenko, the Jazz's new sixth man, played a starter-like 35 minutes in helping Utah to a 98-94 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the season opener. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

"I wouldn't say I like (coming off the bench)," said Kirilenko, who started every game he played in last year. "But I wouldn't say I dislike it. It doesn't really matter as long as you play in the game. I play 35 minutes and I like (that)."

Kirilenko entered with 6:56 remaining in the first quarter after starter C.J. Miles picked up a second quick foul. He never left the floor the remainder of the half, scoring eight points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field. It was about the same in the second half, as Kirilenko didn't start the third quarter, but he did finish the game.

Kirilenko "is still going to be responsible to play a lot of minutes," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan of his highest-paid player. "He played 35 minutes which is third on the team. ... I think he can help our second group a bit more when we get back to where we were, but right now we're trying to mix and match and trying to do whatever we need to do to try to win."

While Kirilenko played a strong overall game, making six of his nine shots from the floor including his only 3-point attempt, he wasn't perfect. In the absence of injured starting point guard Deron Williams, Kirilenko played "point forward" on several occasions with not-so-great results. He turned the ball over three times, including once while trying to go one-on-one in the final seconds of the first quarter which allowed a last-second Denver layup.

Deron Williams wanted to play in the Jazz's 2008-09 NBA regular-season opener Wednesday night, but did not.

Now, Utah's usual starting point guard has a new target date for returning from the second-degree inversion sprain to his left ankle that he sustained during an Oct. 18 preseason game at Chicago.

It's next Wednesday night, when the Jazz play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at EnergySolutiuons Arena.

"I'd like to get back as soon as possible," Williams, who sat on the Jazz bench in street clothes while watching Utah's 98-94 win over Denver, said after Wednesday's morning shootaround. "But the Portland game probably looks the most ... feasible."

The Jazz have two more games between now and then, Saturday at home vs. the Los Angeles Clippers and Monday in L.A. against the Clippers.

Williams practiced Tuesday and hoped to be ready for Wednesday's opener, but realized he simply wasn't ready.

"I got through the whole practice pretty well," he said. "But, at the same time, I wasn't trying anything. I wasn't really going to the hole, exploding or anything like that. Then, afterwards, I kind of aggravated it a little bit."

Following an ugly debut in which the Thunder trailed by 20 or more points for an extended period in the second half, coach P.J. Carlesimo hinted minutes in the foreseeable future will be earned.

“I’d like to watch more, but we can’t watch more of this,” Carlesimo said. “We may just have to make some decisions and kick some people out of the rotation and say, ‘These are the guys who are going to play for a while.’ Hopefully, they’ll play well. If not, someone else will get an opportunity.”

Carlesimo stressed that reserves played well (outscoring the starters 51 to 36), which could lead to changes in the starting lineup.

One of the Thunder’s biggest concerns is interior defense. That proved critical early in the game. Andrew Bogut scored “only” 14 points, but eight came in the first quarter. The Thunder made defensive adjustments, which helped set up Michael Redd, Charlie Villanueva and Richard Jefferson.

“Andrew got them going early,” Carlesimo said. “He was too much for us. When we doubled him, they did a really good job moving the ball (to get open looks). They just out-executed us.”

David Stern had barely begun his speech when the microphone went out.

Moments later, the sound returned.

"It’s the first day,” the NBA commissioner quipped. "It’s allowed.”

On the night Oklahoma City made its NBA debut, the pregame festivities were fitting for such an occasion. They were spirited. They were raucous.

Nothing, though, topped the appearance by Stern.

"Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, welcome to the National Basketball Association,” he said to wild applause. "Thank you for welcoming the NBA to Oklahoma City. You were here for us when the Hornets needed help and the NBA needed help.

"We are so happy that you’ve been rewarded with a team.”

Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett introduced Stern, who was in Boston on Tuesday night as the Celtics celebrated their NBA title.

Cornett also recognized Thunder chairman Clay Bennett.

Prolonged applause eventually lured Bennett to the edge of the court where he waved to the Ford Center crowd, then patted his heart twice before returning to his court-side seat.

"It’s time to get rowdy,” Cornett said as the applause subsided. "It’s time to cheer for our team.”

He pointed to the rafters where a blue banner unfurled.

"The Oklahoma City Thunder.”

Thunder guard Kevin Durant and coach P.J. Carlesimo were asked before the team’s inaugural game in Oklahoma City what they would remember most about the historic night.

Said Durant: “Riding up to the arena and seeing so many people outside. It was like a state fair.”

Said Carlesimo: “Whether we win or lose. Without a doubt.”

Only one of the two will have fond memories.

The Milwaukee Bucks spoiled the Thunder’s season opener with a 98-87 win that sent a sellout crowd of 19,136 home following a head-scratching performance by a home team that never so much as took the lead on this celebratory night.

“I feel badly for all the people and the energy and everything that went into it,” said Carlesimo. “But nobody feels worse than the 15 guys in the locker room. We know we’re capable of playing a lot better than we did tonight.”

With the Thunder starting fresh after relocating from Seattle, the team’s cornerstones showed how much work lies ahead in their development.

A debut of despair was supplanted by an evening of relief for the Trail Blazers and rookie center Greg Oden on Wednesday.

An MRI performed on the 7-foot player revealed some relatively good news: Oden has a mid-lateral right foot sprain and is only expected to miss between two and four weeks. If so, Oden, who suffered the injury Tuesday night during the Blazers' season-opening 96-76 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers, would miss between six and 14 games.

In a press release from the Blazers, the team said Oden has a "couple of avulsions," or fractures, in his foot but the injuries are not serious and will not require surgery.

That breeze you just felt was Rip City exhaling a sigh of relief.

When Oden failed to return for the second half against the Lakers, fans feared the worst: The No. 1 overall draft pick of 2007, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, faced another significant and lengthily setback.

But while a maximum of four weeks poses a challenge, Oden should return next month with plenty of time left to help the Blazers achieve their playoff ambitions. At Wednesday's practice, before specifics of Oden's injury were released, teammates were already mentally preparing for their starting center to miss an extended chunk of time.

"We've played how many games with him?" reserve forward Channing Frye asked. "Half of one and some preseason. I have to be honest, we're probably more used to playing with Joel (Przybilla) than we are with Greg at this point. And that's nothing against Greg, he's just been hurt and he's had these fluke injuries. We're going to deal with stuff. Injuries happen and Greg's a great player, but goodness gracious, the sky isn't falling."

Before the game, the Timberwolves announced they exercised team options for next year on both Randy Foye and Corey Brewer. Foye's fourth-year option will pay him $3.57 million. Brewer's third-year option is worth $2.9 million.

Aside from senior night last season at UCLA, when he graciously let Lorenzo Mata-Real take the floor in his place, Kevin Love cannot remember another time in his life entering a basketball game off the bench.

But Wednesday, in the Timberwolves' 98-96 season-opening victory over Sacramento, Love had to wait until 1 minute, 12 seconds remained in the first quarter to make his NBA debut. Thirteen seconds later, he kicked off his scoring career by making a layup off a missed free throw by Craig Smith.

One shot. Two points. Relief.

"Well, we got the first one out of the way," Love said.

He was talking about the Minnesota victory. But for Love, getting those first points under his belt was important, too. Especially after having some pregame butterflies that had nothing to do with facing the Kings; Love was nervous about his brief address to the Target Center crowd before the tipoff. He then brushed off any nerves and found his touch.

"Once I got into a groove, got out there for the first time, I was fine," he said.

Love played under 19 minutes in the game -- and was removed with 3:40 to play when Sacramento moved John Salmons to power forward -- but still finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

"Any time you rebound like that -- finish around the basket -- it's impressive," Timberwolves guard Mike Miller said. "If he continues to bring that, we're going to be really good."

Of all his plays, Love's biggest came when he drove for a crowd-pleasing, two-handed slam dunk that put Minnesota up 83-80. He also converted a three-point play after he was fouled on a hook shot. The free-throw pushed Minnesota's lead to 90-84.

Love also made layups, tip-ins and tried from outside in the game.

"That's who Kevin is," coach Randy Wittman said. "He does a little bit of everything. He shoots, he rebounds. I thought he rebounded excellent."

"But he got his hands on how many others?" Wittman said. "He kept [rebounds] alive."

The agent for Renaldo Balkman said Wednesday the Nuggets will pick up the $2.11 million option on his client for 2009-10.

“Absolutely, we’re excited,’’ Andre Buck told the Rocky Mountain News shortly after he heard from the Nuggets that Balkman’s option will be picked up. “They’re looking for Renaldo to fill the role as an Eddie Najera-type energy guy.’’

Buck was referring to Najera, who left the Nuggets last summer to sign with New Jersey as a free agent. Shortly after that, the Nuggets acquired Balkman in a trade from New York.

The Nuggets had faced a Friday deadline in their decision on whether to pick up Balkman’s option.

Kevin Love is the known commodity, the UCLA-branded big man with the NBA lineage whose pro career began Wednesday amid a mountain of expectations.

Which makes him the anti- Jason Thompson.

The Kings rookie forward remains a mystery even to those in his draft class, having become the first player ever taken out of Rider in New Jersey with the No. 12 pick. But before both players officially tipped off for the first time, Love said Thompson may not be unknown for long if he fulfills his potential.

"I didn't realize how good he was until I saw him in person," said Love, who was taken fifth overall by Memphis in June and then traded in an eight-player deal that brought him and veteran Mike Miller to Minneapolis and sent No. 3 pick O.J. Mayo to the Grizzlies. "I saw (Thompson) at the (Orlando, Fla.) predraft (camp in May), saw him at the rookie transition program (in early September in Rye Brook, N.Y.) where you got to shoot around and play a little bit on those baskets."

And he liked what he saw even before Thompson had 18 points and 10 rebounds against the T-wolves on Wednesday in just 22 minutes. He became the franchise's first player to post a double double (18 points and 10 rebounds) in his NBA debut since Jerry Lucas tallied 23 points and 17 rebounds in 1963. Salmons added 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting.

"He's got the size, got the athleticism, got big hands – soft hands – to catch the ball," Love said. "He can also step out and shoot it as well. I like his game a lot. He was a surprise pick in the lottery, but I think he was a good choice for Sac."

Thompson hit six of his first seven shots en route to a 7-of-11 outing. He ran the fast break a few times, albeit not always successfully as he had two turnovers.

"He was playing great," Kings point guard Beno Udrih said. "Sometimes he just gets a little too excited. When he gets a rebound he needs to look for the guards and we'll go back to him. Otherwise, he had a great game."

With Shaquille O’Neal’s “coward” comment still ringing in the ears of Spurs fans before Wednesday’s game, a reporter asked San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich if he would consider a mock “Hack-a-Shaq” on the first possession of the game to jokingly prove that he wasn’t backing down from his strategy in last year’s playoffs.

Popovich stopped. He ran his fingers through his new white beard. And then he started to grin.

“You know, that’s not a bad idea now that I think about it. It’s a better suggestion than any of our (assistant) coaches have had all summer,” Popovich said. “I could get a couple of guys in front of me and act like they were holding me back … a typical NBA fight.”

Funny guy. He was just kidding, of course. Right?

Sure enough, the Suns won the tip and ex-Sun Michael Finley wrapped his arms around O’Neal to stop play five seconds into the game — a nonshooting foul. O’Neal quickly looked over at Popovich, who gave him two thumbs-up and the two shared a laugh.

“Classic Pop. I loved it,” Steve Nash said. “It would have been a fine if he didn’t do it.”

But after Matt Bonner picked up his third foul with 2:39 left in the first half and the Spurs down to only three big men due to injury, Popovich brought the hack back in earnest. Four away-from-the-ball fouls put O’Neal at the line four times, but he was able to hit five of eight free throws to help the Suns to a 49-46 lead at the half.

“I was ready and prepared. I have to just go up and hit them,” O’Neal said. “(The Spurs) are probably going to make sure I hit them every game. From high school on, I’ve shot 50 percent — make one, miss one. I just have to try to make them both or not miss both.”

But after most of the media had left his locker, O’Neal said he was knew what he was doing when he called San Antonio’s tactics cowardly and was just doing his part to stoke the fires for the season opener.

No, he was not waving the white flag even before his team played its first regular season game Wednesday night.

However, Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy stated firmly that if the Lakers remained relatively healthy all season he believed that they would end the season as NBA champions.

“If I’m picking, that’s who I’m picking,” said Dunleavy, who is beginning his sixth season as the Clippers’ coach.

Dunleavy considers the Lakers’ defense to be one of the top three in the league. Then there is the X factor that the Lakers possess.

“You’ve got Kobe Bryant at the end of the game, to cancel all bets,” Dunleavy said.

Trevor Ariza is living, breathing proof that there is life after the tipoff buzzer.

For much of his four NBA seasons, Ariza has occupied a spot on the bench, having been on the floor at the opening tip less than 25 times. Yet, he doesn’t mind.

Never does he complain. Never does he question a coach’s decision to start another guard in front of him or let him sit as the game goes along.

Unlike Lamar Odom, who initially was upset about a reserve role when it was first presented to him, Ariza seized his position and become one of the leaders of the Lakers’ second unit.

“Whatever helps our team win, that’s what I’m going to do,” Ariza said. “I’ve always been a player who is a team guy. Wherever I fit in, that’s where I’m going to play.”

Ariza, who exercised the $2.91 million player option in his contract for this season, said he isn’t worried about impressing the front office. He simply wants to play well and “everything will take care of itself.”

“As long as we’re winning, working toward our goal (of an NBA title), taking the right step, I don’t have any problem with it (inconsistent minutes),” he said. “My four years in the NBA I never had any consistency. My whole thing is to come in and do what I can and get it done and go sit back down.”

It’s coming fast and furious now, from all over the league, as executives and other sources check in with me, asking one question: What are the Warriors doing?

By the way, the Al Harrington trade request isn’t a major headline for them–people around the NBA have known about Al’s problems with Don Nelson for years and once Nelson was re-upped expected a trade-demand and a trade fairly quickly, unless somebody with the Warriors gets stubborn.

The Stephen Jackson extension thing gets weirder and weirder: I’ve heard from three NBA sources that Chris Mullin and Pistons boss Joe Dumars had continuing, open-ended discussions about a possible deal that would’ve focused on SJax moving to Detroit and Tayshaun Prince coming to the Warriors.

To be clear: There was no agreement. No papers being drawn up. Just talks. Interested, directed talks. That doesn’t seem like a fair deal (for Detroit), so there would’ve had to be other players or picks involved.

But Dumars is still looking to change up the Pistons’ chemistry and Prince has three years and $30M left on his deal, so moving him for SJax’s two years and $15M would free up some future cash. (Bringing SJax back to the Palace at Auburn Hills would be… interesting.)

The two sides started talking last summer and agreed to keep talking up to February 2009 trade deadline, if nothing else occurred.

Guess what happened: Rowell had dinner with SJax and told him that they’d do a deal, somewhere around SJax’s max allowable–three years and $27M, stretching through 2012-’13. That deal is expected to be announced at any time now and SJax has made sure of it by talking about it publicly. (VERY smart, Stephen.)

Dumars, of course, wants no part of SJax for that kind of contract. Nobody in the league, other than the Warriors, wants him signed at that kind of money into his mid-30s. He’s a very good–but not a great–player. He had two years left on his deal. There was time.

Monta Ellis was on the inactive list with Anthony Morrow and Richard Hendrix. According to a team spokesman, after three games on the IL, the Warriors can transfer Ellis to the suspended list for the remainder of his 30-game ban. That means Golden State can sign an extra player and keep them until Dec. 15.

Somewhere, Rob Kurz’s phone is ringing.

Either Warriors coach Don Nelson is a skilled enough actor to warrant Screen Actors Guild membership or he was really surprised.

After shoot-around Wednesday morning, he said (and looked as if) he hadn't heard of forward Al Harrington's trade request the day before.

"I didn't know that. I met with Al and it never came up," he said. "It happened this summer. Al and I talked about him being traded this summer. Obviously we would make a trade if we can get a good player. That's not a problem. But we have to get a good player in return. Obviously, it hasn't happened because he hasn't been traded. I don't know. I thought we were getting along pretty well. This year."

To Nelson's surprise, feigned or not, Harrington confirmed Tuesday night that he and his agent, Dan Fegan, went to Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin to request a trade. He also explained to Bay Area News Group why he doesn't want to play for Nelson anymore.

His beef? He wants more minutes. He wants to be used as more than a spot-up shooter. And he wouldn't mind if someone else became Nelson's whipping boy.

"I went through it all last year," Harrington said Tuesday night, pointing out that his trade requests didn't go public by his own doing. "It all started in the playoffs the year before. It wore on me, you know what I'm saying? I didn't want to play for him. I told him that this summer. I told (Mullin) that. I reiterated that again to Mully. I've told him twice since training camp has started that I don't want to be here.

"I don't think me and Coach is going to work out — because I feel like he uses me in certain ways and I don't think that's going to change. We all know how Nellie is. We all know his history. If you're not one of his dudes, you ain't never going to be one of his dudes. And that's the truth."

Mullin wouldn't comment on trade possibilities. He said he wouldn't let his affinity for Harrington.

Rookie center JaVale McGee, the team's first-round draft pick out of Nevada, showed Coach Eddie Jordan enough during training camp and the preseason to earn a spot on the active roster for last night's regular season opener against the New Jersey Nets.

The Wizards deactivated second-year forward Oleksiy Pecherov along with injured veterans Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood. League rules allow teams to dress only 12 players, so Jordan will have a decision to make about which player to sit on a game-by-game basis.

McGee entered the game in the third quarter to warm applause. He missed all four of his shot attempts but did grab a couple of rebounds and block a shot in just less than nine minutes.

"Number one, JaVale's had a terrific preseason," Jordan said before the game. "You guys have seen the things he can do athletically. He's learned at a great pace. He's our first-round pick and I don't want our first-round pick, his first game at home after a good preseason, to be inactive. I think he deserved to be an active player tonight. . . . It's going to be like that every game, it's so close as to who we are going to activate and make inactive."

He had confidence.

He had swagger.

He even had a little dance going as he strutted into the locker room before the game.

But none of it lasted long after the opening tip-off.

Michael Beasley missed several layups and open jump shots and at times looked lost defensively Wednesday in his NBA debut at Madison Square Garden. The rookie forward finished with just nine points on 4-of-14 shooting and had three turnovers in the Heat's 120-115 loss to the New York Knicks.

''I had a bad game,'' Beasley said. ``I missed [a] couple shots, and my confidence just went out the window.''

Beasley did not appear to be nervous about his first regular-season game, nor was he fazed by playing in what he called ''the Mecca of basketball.'' He was just off.

Few who have watched Beasley are accustomed to seeing him so hapless -- and even hesitant at times -- with the ball in his hands. But it was Beasley's defense that concerned Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

''Michael struggled offensively, but I wasn't even looking at that side of the ball,'' he said. ``We're kind of in a situation right now where there's expectations, accountability, and to get our defense right all five guys have to be working together.''

After starting the final two exhibitions, second-round pick Mario Chalmers emerged as the opening-night starter at point guard.

"The last two and a half weeks, he's been very productive and efficient," said Spoelstra, who had started Chris Quinn in three exhibitions and Marcus Banks in two. "The team has been efficient when he's been in there at the point." ...

Backup guard Daequan Cook said he was glad his $1.4 million option for next season was picked up in advance of Friday's deadline.

The Heat's offseason free-agent haul? Missing in action.

None of the three veteran free agents added by the Heat prior to training camp were in uniform for Wednesday night's season opener against the Knicks.

The absences of James Jones and Jamaal Magloire were the result of injuries. But coach Erik Spoelstra took a somewhat surprising approach by leaving perimeter stopper Yakhouba Diawara inactive.

Diawara had started the Heat's first two exhibitions before slipping from the rotation.

"That was a really tough decision," said Spoelstra, who felt he needed to keep all four of his point guards on the 12-man active roster against the up-tempo Knicks.

Diawara said there should be enough defensive opportunities in coming games to develop his niche.

"I was surprised, too," he said, "but he's the one who makes the decision, so I just have to go with it. I'm feeling I'll find my role very quickly."

Lawyers representing McDavid have spent the past three weeks painting Atlanta-based Turner — a company with a generally positive reputation in the community — as a shady corporation that makes insider deals and cheated him out of the ownership of two Atlanta pro sports franchises.

Going forward, it’s up to Turner’s attorneys to find discrepancies in the reams of letters, e-mails and other documents McDavid’s lawyers have presented.

The trial, in Fulton County Superior Court, may last another two weeks.

Texas businessman McDavid signed a letter-of-intent with Atlanta-based Turner to buy the Hawks, Thrashers and Philips Arena operating rights in April 2003. The letter, which granted exclusive negotiating rights, expired in June of that year, but the parties continued talking.

Three months later, Turner sold the teams and arena rights to an eight-man group known as the Atlanta Spirit. That group includes the son and son-in-law of Turner Broadcasting founder Ted Turner. Turner has not been connected with the media corporation for some time, but he served as vice chairman of the board of parent company Time Warner at the time of the negotiations.

McDavid’s attorneys brought a three-inch stack of papers into the courtroom that they said constituted an agreement. Turner’s attorneys say those papers were never signed. And so, for their part, this is why Turner officials say they could talk to Spirit investors such as Michael Gearon Jr. and Rutherford Seydel, Ted Turner’s son-in-law. They approached the company in August 2003 to buy the teams and rounded up other investors to help.

The Spirit didn’t have league approvals when it signed with Turner and was without them until weeks before the deal closed in 2004. The deals differed financially, McDavid’s attorneys argued.

Robert Leib, an accountant who had advised McDavid, told the jury the teams and arena were worth $647 million in 2003.

Hawks coach Mike Woodson went with Mo Evans in the starting lineup for Marvin Williams, who did not travel with the team while serving a one-game suspension for the flagrant-foul penalty he received in the Hawks’ Game 7 loss to Boston in the playoffs.

A 47-game starter for the Magic last season, Evans chuckled at the irony of literally starting the season where he finished the last one.

“That’s just the way it goes in this league,” he said. “I guess if you play in this league long enough, you’ll have some of those moments.”

Starting Evans was actually a move Woodson planned to counter the Magic’s use of All-Star center Dwight Howard and on their pick-and-roll sets with point guard Jameer Nelson.

Evans started the game guarding Rashard Lewis, allowing Woodson to put a bigger guard, Joe Johnson, on Nelson and Mike Bibby on Magic shooting guard Mickael Pietrus.

Evidence of the Hawks’ improved bench power was on full display in the first half of Wednesday’s season opener against Orlando at Amway Arena.

While the Hawks were busy building their lead to as many as 18 points before halftime, reserves Flip Murray, Zaza Pachulia, Acie Law IV and Solomon Jones were busy getting in on the action.

Murray scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds in 14 minutes. Pachulia added four points and two rebounds and Law three rebounds and two assists.

They outscored their Orlando counterparts 14-5 in the first half.

Devean George will miss at least the season's first two games because of a left-hand injury.

"It's something that's being addressed," coach Rick Carlisle said. "The MRI showed swelling. It shouldn't be that long, but the first couple games, he's not going to be available, which hurts us."

Golden State Coach Don Nelson cannot understand why the Hornets' David West is not recognized more as one of the top power forwards in the NBA.

West played in his first All-Star Game last season in New Orleans, but Nelson said he is just as good as Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki. Nelson is Nowitzki's former coach in Dallas.

"Everybody knows Chris Paul," said Nelson, who signed a two-year contract extension worth about $12 million hours before tipoff. "David West -- a lot of people don't know, yet. He's as good a power forward that you can find in the league."

Nelson also said the Hornets are a championship contender this season, admitting it would not be an easy home opener.

Center Hilton Armstrong was minding his business with his headphones on about 90 minutes before tipoff of Wednesday night's opener at Oracle Arena.

Armstrong said he did not have a clue he would be Scott's choice as the top backup behind starting center Tyson Chandler.

Scott eventually ended the suspense, giving Armstrong the nod over veteran Melvin Ely.

Armstrong and Ely were in a battle for minutes since the start of training camp. During preseason games, Armstrong and Ely earned minutes at power forward.

"Hilton had a solid preseason last season and then came out and played like crap," Scott said. "But I think he's ready now to take that next step. I don't see him hesitating as much.

"I see him out there playing, and he's in much better condition. That's the one thing I kept stressing, that if, heaven forbids, and Tyson Chandler got hurt, I've got to rely on someone. So it's good that he has got in much better condition."

Scott plans to use a second unit that includes Armstrong at center, Rasual Butler at small forward, James Posey at power forward, Devin Brown at shooting guard and Mike James at point guard. But Scott said he would play Posey at shooting guard and both forward spots.

Although second-year forward Julian Wright had participated in full-scaled practices since Sunday, he was put on the inactive list for Wednesday night's opener at Golden State.

Wright still is slowed by a sprained right ankle, which caused him to miss the final three preseason games and get out of the conditioning that Hornets Coach Byron Scott expects.

Wright is not expected to play tonight against Phoenix and possibly Saturday night's for the home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the New Orleans Arena.

Backup power forward Sean Marks also did not play Wednesday night because of a strained calf. He missed all seven preseason games with the injury.

"Neither one is ready; that's the bottom line," Scott said. "Sean is probably a week away from going through a full practice. He (Wright) has missed a lot of time on the practice floor. When you do that, guys behind you or in front of you, move forward. That basically happened."

Wright participated in the Hornets' final practice Tuesday at the Alario Center, but his right ankle was heavily taped. However, he ran without any limitations but did not do any cutting.

After putting his team through a 1 1/2-hour shootaround at the Oracle Arena on Wednesday morning, Scott made the decision to put Wright on the inactive list. Scott said the plan initially was for Marks to begin the season on the inactive list.

"I knew realistically that I wouldn't be in the same shape that I was during training camp," Wright said. "I'm just going to get a lot of running in to improve my conditioning. My ankle gets a little stiff starting off, but usually after a warm-up, it's fine."

Rick Carlisle doesn't have to search very hard for a theme to his first season as Mavericks coach. It keeps finding him.

Like when he went on a national talk show last week, and the only questions were about issues that people say the Mavericks must address to prove they are legitimate.

Maybe, just maybe, the doubts are exactly what the team needs.

"I believe there is a lot of motivation, just off the disappointment of the last couple years and from the standpoint of what the public opinion is about the team," Carlisle says. "That we're old, we're emotionally scarred, not tough – all that kind of stuff.

"The only thing I'm going to tell you is we have to be a hungry team. If we're not, we're not going to compete at the level we need to."

Up and down the roster, the Mavericks have players who have something to prove. Jason Kidd is trying to show he's got something left in the tank in a season when he'll turn 36 and is trying to earn next year's contract. Dirk Nowitzki wants to prove he is a championship-worthy superstar.

Antoine Wright and Gerald Green need to show they are solid NBA players. Erick Dampier must become the rebounding beast that the Mavericks need him to be.

Jason Terry has to be a shooter, and Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George have to stay on the court.

Management must hope it all comes together to justify the Kidd trade of last season.

And, of course, there's Josh Howard, who has a big bag of chips on his shoulder after a tumultuous past year.

Forget the U.S. Olympians. This is the real Redeem Team.

With second-year guard Aaron Brooks improving rapidly from his bruised right ankle, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Brooks is more likely to return on the short end of the team’s one-to-three week estimate that Brooks would miss after suffering the injury Sunday.

In a move long assumed, Morey said the Rockets will exercise their option to extend Brooks’ contract for a third season today.

Rookie Hamed Haddadi and second-year guard Javaris Crittenton dressed but didn't play. They were on the active roster.

Asked whether Haddadi or Crittenton would see time in the NBA Developmental League, Iavaroni said Griz brass hadn't discussed the possibility.

"You'd hate to see him not getting minutes. We want to do whatever it takes for him to progress," Iavaroni said of Haddadi, adding that "I don't want to say (Crittenton) is a candidate for that. Frankly, I've never viewed him as a (D-Leaguer)."

The Pacers turned the ball over 22 times in their 100-94 loss to the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday.

"That was the difference in the game," guard Marquis Daniels said. "I don't want to take anything from (the Pistons), but we didn't play good. I'm just going to say it was first-game jitters. Everybody was turning the ball over at an alarming rate. We just have to protect the ball."

The Pacers, who dropped their season opener for the first time since 2001, shot 49 percent from the field and attempted 13 more free throws than the Pistons.

Those statistics turned out to be meaningless because they couldn't protect the ball.

The Pacers had three players turn the ball over four times. Detroit was able to score 19 points off those 22 turnovers.

"The story was turnovers," O'Brien said. "The differential was seven. Offensively, other than the turnovers, we shoot 50 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the foul line. We did some good things, but we shot ourselves in the foot."

Grizzlies head coach Marc Iavaroni prefers not to use a 10-man rotation.

He'll use one, though, in the short term because rookie forward Darrell Arthur is increasingly making a case for playing time.

The Grizzlies' season-opening game at Houston proved why.

Arthur came in with 9:26 left in the second quarter. He logged nine first-half minutes and had six rebounds and a block at halftime.

The Grizzlies' starting front line of center Marc Gasol and power forward Darko Milicic combined for six rebounds and zero blocks in 28 minutes.

"I'm trying to find ways to get (Arthur) on the floor," Iavaroni said before tip-off. "Darrell has put his mark on the team with his play. He's played well in practice and in the minutes given to him. It hasn't really mattered who he's gone against."

Arthur finished the game, an 82-71 loss, with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Iavaroni would rather use an eight- or nine-man rotation. Hakim Warrick, Kyle Lowry, Quinton Ross and Greg Buckner appear to have playing time earmarked for them off the bench.

If Arthur continues to progress, Iavaroni might reconsider playing Gasol and Milicic together for long stretches. Arthur's emergence could affect Warrick depending on matchups.

Iavaroni turned to Arthur less than three minutes into the second half once Milicic picked up his third foul. And there was Arthur disrupting a Yao Ming dunk attempt just before the third period ended.

"Darrell has shown himself to be what we expected," Iavaroni said. "He's highly energized. He's athletic. He's quick. He's got a skilled jump shot, and he's been rebounding well enough."

Walter Herrmann was hoping his role would be greater than it was last season.

Herrmann got his wish -- for one night, at least.

The 6-foot-9 Pistons forward made the most of his opportunity to play in the season opener as Detroit held on for a 100-94 win.

Herrmann led all Pistons reserves in scoring with 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field.

"I was waiting for this opportunity," Herrmann said.

Herrmann was part of a second quarter unit that included all reserves. Herrmann was joined by backups Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Jason Maxiell and Antonio McDyess.

All made contributions during the quarter, but Herrmann's play stood out as he scored eight points in a little more than 8 minutes of action in the first half.

"I was working all summer on my shot," Herrmann said. "I hope to play a little better this season than (last) season."

Unfortunately for Denver, a lane violation late in the game by Chris Andersen gave Kyle Korver a second chance at a free throw with the score 96-94. With a second chance, Korver nailed the free throw and helped seal Denver's fate.

Kenyon Martin got an open look from beyond the arc that would have tied the game, but his shot bounced off the back iron and the Nuggets lost the game 98-94.

After the game, Denver head coach George Karl was not happy with the late whistle.

"It's only in Utah," a clearly frustrated Karl explained. "They violate the lane, they push and shove. They are the best free throw rebounding team because they cheat the lane all the time, and we get a call that cost us the game. But, you know, again... I'm not sure it cost us the game, but it was a tough call.

"(The officials) have made some comments that they're going to try to make more calls at the end of the game, be more precise and maybe we did (commit a lane violation). But the one free throw after that I thought (Utah) was in early and they could've called that, but they never do."

"Referees will tell you they make calls no matter what time of the game it is if they think it's the right call," Denver guard Allen Iverson said after the game. "That was just tough on us. In that part of the game we get a guy to miss a free throw -- a great free throw shooter like that -- and for them to have a two-point lead and for us to have a chance to tie, it was tough. To put that guy back on the line and give him another shot, he's not going to miss that."

It was an interesting night. Curry has been saying that he plans to play a lot of guys a lot of minutes. He didn't wait long to prove it. By the start of the second quarter, the lineup was Jason Maxiell, Antonio McDyess, Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and the tireless Walter Herrmann, whose intense expression, when he runs, suggests a man being chased by a wolf.

Those five stayed out here for a long while. Chauncey Billups, meanwhile, sat for about seven straight minutes. Rip Hamilton sat for 8 1/2 , Rasheed Wallace for nearly 9 1/2 . By halftime, 11 players had seen action, none less than three minutes.

Sure, at crunch time, the fourth quarter, it was the same old guys. But still, you watch the bench players and you understand, perhaps, why Joe Dumars wants to roll the dice on this roster. On good nights, they can look pretty deep now, with Afflalo and Stuckey looking more and more like a real backcourt and Kwame Brown, a former No. 1 draft pick, now a third big man option off the bench.

"We want to make sure we give guys a chance to see if this could be their night," Curry said.

Richard Katz , agent for Jason Maxiell , was expected to be at the game Wednesday and meet with president Joe Dumars .

There is a chance that he could accept the four-year, $20 million contract the Pistons have offered.

"I ain't talking about it," Maxiell said.

The deadline is Friday.

Fact is, a better basketball team would probably have beaten the Pistons on this night. The offense is still searching for its groove. The Pistons made 15 turnovers and really didn't establish much of a presence inside. A lot of well-executed plays weren't finished at the basket, but there were also long stretches of disjointed play resulting in ugly shots or turnovers.

"I thought we had a decent flow, but it's going to take a little time," said Billups, who had 13 points and seven assists. "We are running different sets than we've run the last three, four, five years. We don't have all the ins and outs down that great yet, and that's why you see the turnovers and us not looking so great. We will get there."

Defensively, they had no answer for Danny Granger. With Mike Dunleavy out with a knee injury, Granger was essentially the Pacers' lone gun, and he ripped the Pistons for 33 points. He made 10-of-16 shots and 11-of-12 free throws, and helped the Pacers cut a 16-point Pistons' lead to five with four minutes left in the game.

"The Pacers keep five shooters on the floor at all times and are hard to defend," said Tayshaun Prince, who led the Pistons with 19 points. "A lot of times you get caught up playing how they play, or they get caught up in how you play. We know we have a lot of work to do."

Zydrunas Ilgauskas said that's reason enough for the Cavs not to treat the Bobcats like harmless kittens. Still, Cleveland will be looking to correct mistakes that it made in the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston in a 90-85 loss to the Celtics.

''We approach it like it's our last game of the season, like it's a game we need to get into the playoffs,'' forward LeBron James said.

More importantly, the Cavs need to continue to get point guard Mo Williams comfortable with the offense. He gave the team 12 points Tuesday night against the Celtics, and said he is eager to get in front of the home fans.

''I'm excited. I'm excited. You feel the electricity that Boston had with their fans. I'm just looking forward to [tonight] with our fans, because their fans really got the gym rocking,'' Williams said. ''To go in a hostile environment like that and play well, especially for the first 24 minutes like we did, that says a lot about our team.''

The Cavs sport a 13-25 record in home openers.

It wasn't quite the debut point guard Mo Williams and the Cavaliers were hoping for, but rather a reminder the Cavaliers' new offense is a work in progress.

"Overall, I thought he was pretty good," Cavs coach Mike Brown said of Williams' performance in a 90-85 loss at Boston in the season opener on Tuesday night. "I thought he responded well playing into the fourth quarter for the first time with the starting unit. I wouldn't give him an 'A,' but probably a little bit above average."

Williams didn't disagree.

"It went OK, obviously it could have been better," said Williams, acquired last summer in a three-way trade with Milwaukee and Oklahoma City. "I'm still trying to feel my way. It's going to come with playing more meaningful games. It's just getting to a comfort level. It's not a confidence thing. There's a difference between confidence and comfort. Once I get there, I'll be fine."

Williams made 4 of 10 shots against Boston, including 3 of 5 3-pointers, for 12 points.

Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas came out of the Bulls' season-opening victory Tuesday a little worse for the wear. Both sat out practice Wednesday.

Rose has a bruised thigh from a play 4½ minutes into the game when the Milwaukee Bucks' Richard Jefferson

''He's a little sore, but he'll be fine,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Thomas tweaked his ankle, which was already swollen.

The injuries didn't preclude either player from making major contributions in the 108-95 victory over the Bucks. Rose finished with a game-high nine of the Bulls' 27 assists. He also scored 11 points and had three steals to help offset four turnovers. Thomas had a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) and played more than 41 minutes.

Barring any setbacks, both are expected to be in the starting lineup Friday in Boston when the Bulls face the defending NBA champion

The fifth-year guard said this good-naturedly, with a smile on his face, after being questioned about the game-changing run he and old standbys Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni and Luol Deng helped engineer in Tuesday's season-opening victory over the Bucks.

That lineup, along with either Drew Gooden or Joakim Noah, turned a 69-66 deficit into an 86-77 lead over a 5-minute-39-second stretch at the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters.

Gordon scored eight of his 18 points, Hinrich added five of his 15 points and Deng had four of his team-high 21 in this stretch, which featured crisp ball movement and, well, veteran savvy.

Those four players, after all, have played on a 49-victory team that won a playoff series.

"Our second unit is very good," coach Vinny Del Negro said, talking about all but Deng. "We should have an advantage there every night. You have guys who have started most of their careers, been productive, been in the playoffs.

"That's one of the reasons I went with the rotation for now. Then we'll figure out during the game who's playing well and what matchups work and go with those guys."

Yes, it's just the first game of the 2008-09 NBA season. But a 95-84 victory over a Sixers team getting U.S.-wide attention for being on the cusp of bigger things, is a huge statement for the Raps.

Chris Bosh had a game-high 27 points, but there were solid efforts from each of the Raptors starters as well as, perhaps surprisingly, a condensed five-man bench.

If there is a number the Raptors will take from this game it is 34, which is the percentage of successful shots they limited the Sixers to.

"That's a good basketball team," Sam Mitchell said of the Sixers. "To come in here on opening night against that team with the addition of Elton Brand. I mean we didn't play great, but we competed."

That first quarter, however, was every Raptors fan's worst nightmare. The home side outrebounded the Raps 22-5 in those opening 12 minutes.

Bosh was a non-factor for most of that first quarter but, like the rest of the Raptors, he kept his composure and battled back.

"If you are tested early like that, you are either going to go up or down," Bosh said. "You have to stay in the game. We stayed relaxed and we didn't panic."

The rebounding turned around in the second quarter, and much of that credit goes to newcomer Jermaine O'Neal who made a suggestion to his teammates between quarters.

"I told them that we can't get into our offence if we can't get the ball," said O'Neal, who finished with 17 points. "There has never been a possession in the history of the game to score without the basketball. We were running out. It was like me and four white (Sixers) jerseys at one time. As athletic as we are and as big as we are at certain positions, we should be able to get the ball. Philly sends everyone to the basket, so you have to send everyone and that's what I told those guys and they corrected it."

The 76ers placed rookie Marreese Speights on the inactive list for last night's season opener against the Toronto Raptors. Speights played all seven preseason games, starting two and averaging 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds a game. The Sixers drafted the 6-foot-10 Speights out of the University of Florida with their first-round pick (16th overall) in the NBA draft.

Compounding all of that was a general inability to deal with the Raptors' Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal, and compounding all of that even more was a general inability to cope with the three-point shooting of Anthony Parker, Jose Calderon and Jason Kapono. Bosh torched the Sixers for 27 points and 11 rebounds, O'Neal was right behind him with 17 points and eight rebounds, and Parker, Calderon and Kapono all knocked down three triples.

The Sixers could have done more, and they knew it.

"We could have definitely limited their easy shots [10-for-16 from beyond the arc], their free throws, their layups," Brand said. "It's disappointing. [We had] mishaps, mental breakdowns on our part. We just didn't execute."

In an effort to regain the attention and concentration of the players, coach Maurice Cheeks had told them to go home as soon as Monday's practice session ended, cutting off any postpractice shooting or drill work. They snapped back nicely Tuesday, and seemed primed for a strong performance.

"We've been practicing pretty good," Brand said. "But Toronto, the majority of those guys, sans Jermaine [acquired from the Indiana Pacers], have been together, in the playoffs, for a few years. They have a goal also. It's going to take us a few games to really get it."

The Knick offense opened last night with a Jamal Crawford Jamal Crawford jumper, followed by a Crawford 3-pointer, followed by another Crawford jumper until Zach RandolphZach Randolph hit a jumper to stop Crawford's barrage.

But Crawford hit another 3 after that, and it was the start of a strong night for the two-guard.

Crawford finished with a game-high 29 points, nailing 9-of-19 from the field in the KnicksNew York Knicks ' 120-115 win over the Heat at Madison Square Garden. He opened the game with a flourish, scoring 10 of the Knicks' first 12 points in the new season.

"All of us can really excel in this system," Crawford said, "and I feel like I am going to thrive in it."

Before the game, Crawford told Knicks fans, "It's going to be a good season for us." Crawford backed up his words in the opener.

It was a good turn-around for Crawford, who had slogged through a dreary preseason. In his first five preseason games, he never took more than 10 game or scored more than 14 points. It was a bit alarming, considering Crawford was the Knicks' leading scorer last year at 20.6 points per game.

But in the final preseason game, Crawford seemed to get in synch, reeling off 30 points and handing out seven assists, and he followed that with another strong effort.

"Just mentally I made the switch that I was going to play the last game like it was the regular season," Crawford said. "Early, I just wanted to get my teammates confidence and all those guys - Mardy Collins, Wilson Chandler, Nate [Robinson] - all those guys played great in preseason."

The harder part for Mike D'Antoni will be negotiating the controversy from Stephon Marbury's DNP, the first of his career not counting last season when he suited up and knew he wouldn't play soon after his father died.

As expected, Eddie Curry also was a DNP. He left the bench in the fourth quarter, with the Knicks staff claiming Curry, angry Tuesday that he found out he lost his spot in the rotation from the media, was icing a sore knee.

Out of nowhere, D'Antoni, who played 10 men, said Marbury is out of his circle until further notice. There were no signs of that coming soon.

The decision to bring him to training camp now seems cruel. The logical conclusion is to part ways. Marbury has one year left on his contract and the Knicks could hold him hostage unless he agrees to a buyout.

"It's a delicate situation," D'Antoni said. "I know he's not going to be happy. I wouldn't be. The team is going on two tracks - one for the future, one to win now. It's a two-, three-year project and we got to know certain things."

Entering a campaign where the most kindly prediction has been that they should, in all likelihood, finish the season, the NetsNew Jersey Nets have not been deterred by the gloomy forecasts.

"Everybody who steps on the floor is going to have to give us something. Energy, effort," said Vince CarterVince Carter . "Leave your mark."

So the Nets sent 10 guys stepping on the floor and they worked. Worked hard. They gave effort. They played with energy. And they left a mark - actually, marks on both offense and defense - all over the Wizards. So the Nets claimed a 95-85 victory in their NBA season-opener.

The first test of coach Lawrence Frank's roster dilemma -- and his authority -- was made before the first game was even played last night, when he omitted Sean Williams from his rotation.

Indeed, it wasn't a tough choice to make: Williams was outplayed by virtually every other big man in the preseason, so Frank's two centers had to be Josh Boone and Brook Lopez.

But when you tell your boss that the odd guy out is his former first-round pick -- a player that the team has invested a lot of time in developing -- sometimes it requires some consultation.

"He didn't have to consult me," team president Rod Thorn said of Frank. "I would agree with it, though."

Williams was in his usual buoyant mood yesterday, but where his career goes from here is an open question.

"Hopefully, he's upset by it," Thorn said. "And hopefully he'll work even harder. Not everyone deserves to be in the rotation. Right now, other guys have played better, so they're ahead of him. But it doesn't mean it stays that way."

All the young bigs did their part, with Yi Jianlian contributing good numbers (17 points, six rebounds) while Josh Boone and Brook Lopez clogged the middle and combined for four of the team's nine blocks.

Vince Carter, content to let the game evolve at its own pace for one half, climbed out of the back seat to play a superb second half and finish with team highs of 21 points and six assists.

And the defense was superb, holding Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison to a combined 9-for-29 from the field and Washington to an 0-for-8, three-turnover meltdown over the last six minutes before Andray Blatche had a meaningless score in the final seconds.

"At least we know that we can't shortchange ourselves in the effort department, because we played hard tonight," said Hayes, who shot 6-for-9 and also made three steals. "If we play with that type of intensity, I think we'll win our fair share of games."

Wrestling through 10 ties and 19 lead changes, the teams came out of the first timeout in the fourth period locked at 74, and the Wizards thought they spied a matchup they liked: They went right to Jamison in the post against the lighter Hayes.

Hayes was forced to foul his former teammate, and Jamison hit one of two free throws to get Washington a 75-74 lead at the 8:17 mark. But payback was pending.

The Nets ran "weakside flex," which starts with a flash to the left elbow for Yi, who delivers it to Hayes curling off a screen on the right. Hayes knocked down the 20-footer to regain the lead.

Judging from the quickness of his moves against James on Tuesday night, Pierce has done a nice job attempting to slow down the aging process.

He turned 31 on Oct. 13, the same day Rivers turned 47.

“When I saw him crying (Tuesday night) I thought, ‘Oh God, we’re done,” Rivers said. “The fact that he went from there to how he was during the game really says something.

“I ended up playing him more minutes, but Paul didn’t want to come out in the second half,” Rivers said. “I tried to take him out and he said, ‘Coach, I’m lighter now.’ But you can see the difference. He does look better.

“His first step is clearly better.”