Sonstiges » third base coach Matt Williams and

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Retaining fifth-year center Hassan Whiteside was a major priority for the Miami Heat last summer.Whiteside, an emerging star, showed why it was so important for the Heat keep him as the cornerstone of their rebuilding during Wednesday nights season opener. The 7-footer dominated the paint in helping deliver a 108-96 win in Miamis first game without perennial All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.He led the Heat with 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots. It was a statement night even if that wasnt Whitesides intention.Its not about trying to make a statement, Whiteside said. Its just that Im coming out here and playing. My teammates made it easier for me and we just played as a team. Im coming out there with a chip on my shoulder, a lot of guys are counting us out. These guys have an edge to them so Im excited.Whiteside showed some flashes in the first half, but it was in the second that his athleticism and strength became too much for the Magic, who were without center Bismack Biyombo for Wednesday nights game. Whiteside scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots in the final two quarters to help the Heat blow open a back-and-forth game.Miami never relinquished the lead again after a 7-0 run midway through the third quarter that was sparked by a big block by Whiteside and one of his several slam dunks.He was enjoying the game and competition, even when he was on the bench and that is important, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. We need him to be great and he was that in the third quarter. He really anchored our defense and ignited everyone else.His prowess on the inside started a dunk-fest as the Heat owned the paint the second half. Goran Dragic scored 16 points and Justise Winslow added 15, while Tyler Johnsons 15 points led three players off the bench in double figures for Miami.Miami scored outscored Orlando 74-36 in the paint.Orlando guard Evan Fournier led all five starters in double figures with 20 points while Nikola Vucevic turned in a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.But none of it was enough to prevent Frank Vogel from suffering a loss in his coaching debut with the Magic.TIP INSHeat: Second-year guard Josh Richardson did not play Wednesday night due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. ... Both Tyler Johnson and James Johnson came off the bench to give the Heat a boost, scoring eight points each in the first half. ... The Heat have won six straight openers, the longest such current streak in the NBA.Magic: Point guard Elfrid Payton had an up and down night, scoring 16 points, but he only had four in the second half and committed four costly turnovers. ... Serge Ibaka managed 14 points but shot just 6 of 17 from the field in his debut with the Magic.MILESTONE WINIt was Spoelstras career win No. 400.I was talking to Pat (Riley) about that and he said `Oh, 400. When I was with the Lakers that many years, I had about 700, Spoelstra said. Thats puts it in perspective. Im just glad I had an opportunity to coach this many games. I should have been fired three or four times.HEATED RIVALRYFournier says there is no better opponent for the Magic to start the season with than their in-state rival Miami.Playing Miami the first game is special, Fournier said. We dont like them and they dont like us. Its no secret.MIDDLE MANWith Biyombo serving an NBA-mandated one-game suspension for exceeding the flagrant foul limit in last seasons playoffs, the Magic had to shift some things around. Ibaka had to slide over and play center quite a bit when Orlando went to its smaller lineup and Vucevic went to the bench.UP NEXTHeat: Miami will open its home schedule on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets without Wade on the roster for the first time since the Heat drafted him in in the first round in 2003. Wade is playing for the Chicago Bulls.Magic: On Friday Orlando begins an early season three-game road swing with the first stop at The Palace of Auburn Hills to take on the Detroit Pistons. The Magic will also play NBA champion Cleveland and then Philadelphia on the trip.Air Max 97 Nintendo 64 For Sale . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Air Max 97/1 Sean Wotherspoon Fake . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. http://www.outletairmax97.com/nike-air-max-97-just-do-it-white-black.html . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Air Max 97 Undefeated For Sale . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Air Max 97 Clearance .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Two of the Diamondbacks best-known former players will not be retained on the teams coaching staff under new manager Torey Lovullo.Arizona general manager Mike Hazen confirmed Tuesday that third base coach Matt Williams and assistant hitting coach Mark Grace will not return.Williams was the third baseman and Grace the first baseman on the Diamondbacks 2001 World Series championship team.They were difficult decisions that we felt we had to make, Hazen said. Any new manager coming in theres chances there will be those changes.Hazen was assistant general manager of the Boston Red Sox before he was hired by the Diamondbacks three weeks ago too replace the fired Dave Stewart.ddddddddddddHe said hes well aware of the place Williams and Grace have in Diamondbacks history.That weighs heavy on these decisions, Hazen said. Theyre great people, but we felt this was the best path for us to move forward.Hazen also said bullpen coach Garvin Alston would not be back. He declined to address the status of pitching coach Mike Butcher, first base coach Dave McKay or bench coach Glenn Sherlock -- the latter has been on Arizonas coaching staff for the franchises entire 19-year history. ' ' '