Basketball: Penney warms up for the Heat

Kirk Penney scored off his first shot in an NBA regular-season match yesterday.

But it wasn't enough to help his team Miami Heat, who were beaten 103-93 by the Dallas Mavericks.

Shortly after joining the injury-riddled Heat, Penney was pitched directly into the fray, subbing on in the first quarter and scoring at his first attempt - a three-pointer.

It was his only success in his NBA debut, in which he clocked up 13 minutes, three points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and three turnovers.

After holding a 50-48 advantage at halftime, Miami wilted in the third quarter (26-14) and eventually lost by 10 points, their fourth straight defeat,

Penney travels to San Antonio with his club today to face the champion Spurs and spend some time with fellow Tall Black Sean Marks, who may yet be a late call-up for the playing roster in the Spurs side.

Reigning NBA most valued player Tim Duncan limped out of the Spurs' 88-80 loss to Memphis yesterday with a sprained ankle, and Argentine star Manu Ginobili also left early with an apparent back injury.

Marks was shuffled off the roster last weekend when San Antonio had to reach outside their squad to answer a point-guard crisis.

And a week ago, Penney's NBA future looked bleak.

He had been released by the Minnesota Timberwolves just before their final pre-season match and was seriously considering offers in Europe.

Then, at 1am on Monday, he got a call from his agent saying the Heat were interested.

Within hours he was on a plane to Dallas.

"This is a funny business," he said. "It's unbelievable."

Penney seems far more secure with Miami than he did with the Timberwolves.

When releasing him, the Wolves told Penney he was easily good enough to play at the NBA level, but his inexperience did not fit their need to be competitive now.

"I'm lucky Sean was there last year. He's got a really good rapport with the players there and that has made it easier for me as a New Zealander."

- NZPA