LeBron James returned to the building where he played and lost his last game as a Cleveland Cavalier during last year’s NBA Playoffs. This time, surrounded by NBA All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the jerseys were different but LeBron again took it on the chin.

The Miami Heat’s “Big Three” certainly didn’t live up to a speck of the hype and were outplayed and outhustled by the aging Boston Celtics who took it to the Heat, 88-80.

The game that set a Nielsen ratings record, started out bad for the Heat from the opening tip and by the end of the first quarter, the Big Three found themselves looking unorganized and trailing 16-9.

Throughout the game, the Heat tried to get back within striking distance and failed until the fourth quarter. With members of the Big Three on the bench, James stormed back in classic LeBron fashion with a run, temporarily taking the game over. LeBron managed to get Miami to within three on an uncontested layup to make it 83-80 with 1:10 left but Ray Allen found an open spot outside the arch and ended that party by sinking a 3-pointer to seal the win.

Big Three final stats. . . James led the Heat with 31 points, Bosh finished with eight points and eight rebounds and Wade scored 13 on a dismal 4-of-16 shooting from the floor. The trio was also responsible for 15 of Miami’s 17 turnovers with King James leading in that category with eight.

It’s been about three months since James rocked the sports world with “The Decision”, a move that fueled hate, accusations and emotions coast-to-coast–a move that triggered a scathing letter from Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. Because of that hype, this was one of the most anticipated opening day match-ups in the history of the NBA.

With a majority of the world against the Big Three, the “villains” walked off the court with a loss to an aging but solid NBA team.

Looking a decade younger at times, Shaq, the oldest player in the NBA at 38 years and 200-plus days, finished with nine points and seven rebounds. Celtics Ray Allen finished with 20 points, Paul Pierce added 19 and another old timer, Kevin Garnett chipped in 10 rebounds.

NBA: Heat, Celtics game sets all-time Nielsen ratings record – Sports Climax

LeBron’s “Loyalty” tattoo – Sports Climax

LeBron bitch-slapped for “The Decision” – Sports Climax

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