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One day down and, what, only 168 more to go? It's almost time to talk magic numbers.

Always the 100-yard sprint that starts a marathon season, the NBA's opening night took on a new dimension this season with the Heat and Celtics enjoying a playoff-like atmosphere in Boston. But with 81 games to go, instead of something between three and six in a playoff series, SportsNation blogger cvgolfguy takes some solace in the parallels with another debut flop.

• " Boston knows who they are, they have an identity, been playing with each other for a while now. Miami doesn't have an identity, they haven't been playing for years and years together, so they were a little confused about what was going on. ... I wonder if the sort of media backlash that happened when the Jets lost will happen to Miami. Like when the Jets talked it up all offseason long, lost the first game, and everyone wrote them off." -- Check out cvgolfguy's blog.

“

The Heat came within 3 in the fourth quarter, despite the fact that dwayne wade was suffering through one of the worst games of his career, which was an aberration, not the norm. That's a fact.

” -- brennangh

“

Nice win by the Lakers Last night! I loved our bench they really stepped up big time. And the Rockets got my respect they showed they really wannna fight for a playoff spot this season. But to me Shannon Brown & Steve Blake stole the night!!

” -- RocAFella248

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i am about ready to trade hill, lopez, and frye. Give hills position to josh or try to get carmelo, and get some descent bigmen

” -- Mr Ntense