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Heat, Nets meet in playoff rematch

Nov 3, 2006 - 2:41 PM New Jersey (1-0) at Miami (0-1) 7:30 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) - The defending champion Miami Heat welcome the New Jersey Nets on Friday in a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference semifinals matchup.

After receiving its championship rings and raising its banner, Miami took a thorough 108-66 beating from the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. It was the worst season-opening loss by a defending champion, surpassing the 132-117 setback suffered by the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State in 1982.

Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, but Shaquille O'Neal contributed just seven on 3-of-10 shooting and Antoine Walker added nine for Miami, which was outrebounded, 49-29.

In last season's conference semifinals, the Heat eliminated the Nets in five games.

New Jersey opened its 2006-07 campaign with a 102-92 victory over Toronto on Wednesday. Jason Kidd registered his 76th career triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Vince Carter had an effective all-around performance as well, netting 25 points, grabbing 11 boards and handing out six assists for the Nets, who shot 51 percent (40-of-78) from the field.

The Nets captured three of the four regular-season meetings over the Heat last season.