Playing for the first time since the All-Star break, the Miami Heat performed a ritual sacrifice to the basketball gods at home against the hapless Sacramento Kings.

The Heat did not spoil the offering, dispatching the lambs in purple 117-97 behind a scoring barrage from LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat shot 73% in the first quarter to take a 35-16 lead, and they never let it get close after that. The Three Kings finished with 76 of Miami's 117 points.

The tune-up against Sacramento was a good time for the Heat to work out the kinks. They face the Eastern Conference rival Chicago Bulls on Thursday and the new-look Knicks on Sunday. Miami leads the Eastern Conference with 42 wins, but still faces a tough race for the top playoff seed in the East against the Bulls, Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic.

Wade was coming off a rolled ankle in the All-Star game, but his play at the beginning of the game belied the idea he was playing hurt. He scored 23 with 8 rebounds and added 7 assists. James added 31 points and 8 rebounds, while Bosh notched 22 points and 9 rebounds.

The win was the Heat's third in a row, and 11th out of the past 12. One other interesting note about tonight's game: Eric Dampier made his first start of the season. We're not sure how long Dampier will stay in the starting lineup, but we do know this guy is thrilled.

David Hill is a Miami native and former owner of a youth replica Rony Seikaly jersey.