195. Dwayne, do you think O'Neal is too old now? (8000 words)_3

The Bobcats used eight players in the first quarter: Felton, Zhang Yang, Gerald Wallace, Okafor, Perkins, Rondo, Alan Anderson, and Millsap, all of whom scored. Okafor and Alan Anderson each grabbed 6 points, and as a team, they worked together to take a 29 to 22 lead over the Miami Heat, ahead by 7 points.

This was still with O'Neal concentrating his energy on defensive duties around the basket, limiting the scoring from Gerald Wallace, Millsap, and Rondo in set plays. Otherwise, with the Bobcats' all-hands-on-deck approach tonight, they would have had more than just 29 points in the first quarter.

The Bobcats' defense was also outstanding, deploying players who could defend aggressively. Jarett Jack, Herrmann, and Jumaine Jones, who are stronger in offense than defense, didn't get to play in the first quarter. Had it not been for Wade's 5 out of 8 field goals and 3 out of 2 free throws, collecting 8 points and 3 assists, the Miami Heat would have struggled to score 20 points.