Los Angeles - Rodney Stuckey scored 23 points, Jason Maxiell added 13 points, including the first four of overtime, and the Detroit Pistons edged the host Miami Heat, 95-91 on Sunday night as the NBA opened up its pre-season schedule. The league officially tips off the regular season on October 28, when the defending champion Boston Celtics meet the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, in one of three contests.
Richard Hamilton had 12 points for the Pistons, who gave new head coach Michael Curry his first victory, after replacing fired Flip Saunders in the off-season.
Michael Beasley, the second overall pick in this year's draft, topped the Heat with 16 points and six rebounds. Mark Blount added 12 points, while Dwyane Wade finished with 11 and seven assists.
After Stuckey drilled a 15-foot jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining to force overtime, Maxiell opened the extra five-minute session with a pair of baskets for a 90-86 lead. Antonio McDyess' layup put the Pistons ahead by six and they held on in the final minute for the win.
New Orleans Hornets 106, Golden State Warriors 103 David West scored 19 points, Hilton Armstrong had 14, and the Hornets edged the visiting Warriors in the pre-season opener for both teams.
Chris Paul collected 13 points and six assists, while veteran newcomer Mike James added 12 points for the Hornets, who lost starting centre Tyson Chandler to a right ankle sprain after playing the opening five minutes.
Italy's Marco Belinelli topped the Warriors with 14 points and off-season pickup Corey Maggette added 13.
A three-pointer by Anthony Morrow drew the Warriors within 105-103, but Ryan Bowen made a free throw, putting the Hornets ahead by three. Morrow had a chance to send the game into overtime but his attempt bounced off the rim in the final seconds.
