From Elias: This was the game that so many envisioned when
LeBron James announced his decision last summer to join
Dwyane Wade and
Chris Bosh in Miami. All three players reached the 30-point mark in the Heat's 125-119 win over the Rockets. It was only the second time in the last 13 NBA seasons that three teammates scored 30 or more points in the same game. The only other trio to do so during that time was
Kevin Martin,
Aaron Brooks, and
Luis Scola of the Rockets against the Spurs 13 months ago.
But that wasn't all. James (33 points, 10 rebounds), Bosh (31/12), and Wade (30/11) all pulled down at least 10 rebounds as well. And they didn't need four overtime periods to do it, like the last trio of teammates with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the same game,
Isaiah Rider,
Brian Grant, and
Arvydas Sabonis of the Trail Blazers in 1997.
In fact, the only other set of three teammates ever to record 30 or more points and 10 or more rebounds in the same regulation, 48-minute NBA game were Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman, and Wayne Embry for the Cincinnati Royals on February 3, 1961. And believe it or not, those wacky Royals lost the game. The Philadelphia Warriors prevailed, 136-135, behind Wilt Chamberlain's 52 points and 30 rebounds.