(Xinhua Photo)

WASHINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Vince Carter scored game-high 27 points on Monday as the New Jersey Nets opened a huge early lead and shocked the Miami Heat 100-88 in the opener of their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series in Miami.

    The All-Star also contributed eight rebounds and six assists. Teammates Jason Kidd added 22 points, nine boards and seven assists.

    Richard Jefferson scored 13 of his 20 points in the first quarter for the winners before leaving with a sprained right ankle. He suffered the injury early in the third quarter and didn't return. X-rays were negative, and he is expected to play in Game 2 on Wednesday in Miami.

    Miami center Shaquille O'Neal picked up two fouls in the first five minutes and played only 29 minutes, ending with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Dwyane Wade had 25 points for the Heat, who shot just 39.1 percent from the field, nearly 10 percent less than New Jersey.

(Xinhua Photo)

    The Nets, coming off a quarterfinal series triumph in six games over Indiana Pacers, made 15-of-21 field goal attempts in the first quarter to lead 38-21 after 12 minutes. They were ahead by as many as 28 points late in the third until the Heat cut the deficit to nine in the fourth.

    In Phoenix, Steve Nash had 31 points and 12 assists after receiving the NBA's MVP Award, leading the Suns to a 130-123 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round playoff series opener.

    Raja Bell had 22 points for the Suns and Shawn Marion added 20 points and 15 rebounds, two of six Phoenix players scored in double-figures.

    Elton Brand led the Clippers with 40 points on 18-for-22 shooting and had nine rebounds, but the Clippers lost despite scoring 59 percent from the field.

    Sam Cassell added 28 points for the Clippers, who allowed 37 points in both the third and fourth quarters. Enditem