ESTERO, Fla., Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Sam Mack made four three-pointers and Mike James had a rare four-point play down the stretch Thursday night as the Miami Heat held on for a 92-89 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Mack scored 19 points and James added 10, including his four-point play with 2:40 remaining that sealed the win. But the Heat's first unit struggled against the zone defense of the second-string Bucks in the final period.
It was a rough night for Miami's Alonzo Mourning, who was held to nine points. Kendall Gill, signed as a free agent during the offseason, managed just four in three quarters.
Miami's young players had their moments. Guard Ricky Davis had his second straight good start with 11 points and center Sean Marks scored 13, displaying some real toughness. The New Zealand native played five games with Toronto last season before moving to the Polish first divison.
Sam Cassell scored 14 of his 21 points in the third quarter and Ray Allen added 20 for the Bucks, who were playing their opener without the injured Glenn Robinson (ankle) and Scott Williams (back).
Milwaukee second-year center Joel Przybilla picked up four early fouls but still saw extended playing time as starter Ervin Johnson left in the second quarter after a violent collision with Heat center Vladimir Stepania. He suffered what could be a sprained left shoulder and sprained left ankle.
Before an estimated crowd of 4,000 at Estero Arena, the game was delayed for about eight minutes at the 4:09 mark of the first quarter for President Bush's news conference.
