Bosh scores 21 in return as Heat top Hornets

MIAMI - Throughout the preseason, the Miami Heat kept being questioned about whether they had enough 3-point shooting.

The answer, on opening night, was a resounding yes.

Chris Bosh scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his return after being forced to the sideline last February because of a blood clot and pneumonia, the Heat took control with a 26-6 run fueled mostly by reserves in the second quarter and held on late to beat the Charlotte Hornets 104-94 in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday night.

Dwyane Wade scored 20 points, Gerald Green added 19 off the bench and Luol Deng scored 13 for Miami.

Charlotte cut a 20-point deficit to five in the final minute, but Deng's 3-pointer with 38.8 seconds left helped seal the win and cap a 12-for-20 night for Miami from behind the arc.

The Heat had 47 games last season with 20 3-point tries or more - and none of those games saw Miami as good from long range as it was Wednesday.

Bosh said the game would carry no extra significance for him after his health scare, saying it was a thing of the past. He was his typically animated self, gesturing to fans as Miami was in control in the fourth quarter and addressed the sellout crowd shortly before tip-off to thank them for their prayers and support during his absence.

''It's been awhile, huh?'' Bosh said, prompting the fans to roar.

It was the first time Bosh, Wade, Deng, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside - the lineup assembled for Miami's playoff push last February - played together in a game that counted.