MIAMI (AP) - It's one game. Still, opening night was a good sign for Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.

His 29 points against Boston on Tuesday night was not only his highest total in a season-debut throughout his 10-year NBA career, but also represented his best total in a regular-season game against the Celtics since February 2010.

Wade being on the court at all wasn't exactly a sure thing even a few weeks ago, after he underwent knee surgery in July and spent the last part of his offseason rehabilitating while simultaneously conducting a tour promoting his book that revolves around fatherhood.

But a couple months shy of turning 31, Wade says he's been determined to show that he's still a truly elite player. Scoring 29 on the Celtics was a good start in that quest.