Miami, FL (Sports Network) - LeBron James and Chris Bosh started a new era for the Heat with a combined 38 points, but Dwyane Wade had an early exit with a hamstring injury in Miami's 105-89 win over the Detroit Pistons.
James scored 18 points on 9-of-18 shooting and played nearly 27 minutes in the preseason opener. The two-time reigning league MVP sent shock waves through the sports world this summer with his much-publicized and often- criticized "Decision" that was nationally broadcast to leave the Cavaliers after spending his first seven years in Cleveland.
"I was just anxious to get back on the court," James said. "It's something I waited for all summer. The reception from the fans was awesome."
Bosh, who also joined the Heat to form Miami's "Big Three," led the way with 20 points and had six rebounds. Wade played the first 3:17, but departed with a strained right hamstring and didn't return. Wade could be sidelined up to two weeks.
"Right now it's a little sore," Wade said. "I think I was chasing Rip (Richard Hamilton) off the screen and I just felt it pull. I was a little sore coming into the game but tried to make it go away.
"Anytime you get injured it's unfortunate. I'd rather have it now than later."
The blockbuster moves by the Heat gave them three players with 17 All-Star appearances between them and tons of championship expectations. James and Bosh both signed six-year, $110.1 million contracts, and Wade was re-signed by the Heat for $107.5 million over six years.
Udonis Haslem tallied 14 points and 13 rebounds for Miami, which surged to a 58-38 halftime lead. Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo each scored 10 in the win.
Ben Gordon had 17 points and Tayshaun Prince 15 for the Pistons. Richard Hamilton, starting his ninth season with the Pistons, had 10 points.
James, with his new uniform No. 6 was welcomed with a loud cheer from the sellout crowd of 19,600, and the six-time All-Star showed off his agility with a spin move through the lane for a dunk in the final seconds of the first quarter. That extended Miami to a 24-15 lead, and the Heat led by as many as 22 in the second before cruising the rest of the way.
Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko left the game in the second quarter with an Achilles injury.