The Wrap-Up: Sixers forget how to tank and Bledsoe wins game
Keith Firmin brings you The Wrap-Up on all of last night’s NBA games, including the Nets beating the Heat and the unveiling of a Legends statue.
Cleveland @ Charlotte
Kemba Walker trumped Kyrie Irving in the battle of the point guards in this contest, scoring a game-high 23 points along with seven assists as the Bobcats beat the Cavaliers, 90-84. Charlotte’s Al Jefferson was sidelined with a knee issue.
New Orleans @ Orlando
The Pelicans kept their season opener against the Pacers close but when they travelled to Orlando last night, things could not have been more different as they were blown out on the road, 110-90. Even though Anthony Davis registered a 26 point, 17 rebound, three block performance he was helpless to stop his team trailing by 30 points in the third quarter. Arron Afflalo had a game-high 30 points while teammate Victor Oladipo had a balanced line of 10 points, six boards, six assists, four steals and two blocks. As part of the Magic’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, the team honoured former Magic man, Tracy McGrady.
McGrady’s dunk off the backboard
Philadelphia @ Washington
It doesn’t look like the Philadelphia 76ers got the ‘Tank at all costs’ memo because they beat the Wizards on the road, 109-102. Spencer Hawes had a strong double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Coming off his sensational line against the Heat on his NBA debut, rookie Michael Carter-Williams had a solid 14 point, five assists. John Wall posted a team-high 26 points.
Toronto @ Atlanta
DeMar DeRozan’s game-high 31 points weren’t enough to give the Raptors the win, as double-doubles from Hawks duo, Horford (22 points/16 rebounds) and Teague (17 points/12 assists), helped Atlanta hold on for a 102-95 win.
Landry Fields with the sweet spin-move and slam
Milwaukee @ Boston
Boston had the lead heading into the final period but a 34-15 point fourth quarter from the travelling Bucks saw them grab the win, 105-98. The visitors had huge contributions from their bench, with 61 points coming from five reserves, compared to the Celtics’ 34 points off the bench. Back-up Zaza Pachulia had a game-high 20 points while the Celtics’ Jeff Green had 13.
The unveiling of the Legendary Bill Russell’s statue
Dallas @ Houston
The Rockets flew out to an early lead in this contest but had to hold off a resilient Mavericks team before regaining control, and the win, 113-105. James Harden had 34 points for Houston while Nowitzki had 22 points but fouled out midway through the fourth. Dwight Howard had a double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Detroit @ Memphis
It took overtime for the Grizzlies to dispatch the visiting Pistons but in the end balanced scoring by the Grizz got the job done, 111-108. The Pistons had a six point lead late in the fourth until a comeback by the home side, capped by Gasol’s tip-in to tie, took the game to the extra period where the Grizzlies stayed strong to win their 1st game of the year. Zach Randolph had a 16 point, 10 rebound game, while Andre Drummond muscled his way to 12 points and 16 boards.
Gasol’s late tip-in to tie the game
Thunder @ Timberwolves
Minnesota have started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2006/7 thanks to their comfortable 100-81 win over the visitors. Just two Thunder players had double-digit points, with Durant mustering only 13, while for the T-Wolves Kevin Love had 24 points and 12 boards to lead his team. Rubio had a 14-point, 10 assist, five steal night as the Timberwolves claimed the win.
Miami @ Brooklyn
Miami dropped to 1-2 on the season with a narrow 101-100 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Former Celtic, Paul Pierce, had 19 points on the night to help his new team to an eight point lead with under three minutes to go. But the Heat stormed back to pull within one on a LeBron corner 3, until a pair of Johnson free throws iced the Nets win.
Jason Terry can’t help but make himself hated
Portland @ Denver
Portland’s 40-point second quarter helped separate the two teams and give the road team a 113-98 win. LaMarcus Aldridge’s 25 points was a game-high, while the Nuggets’ Nate Robinson scored 24 in the loss. Brit Joel Freeland was a +21 with five points, seven rebounds and three dimes in 22 minutes.
McGee jams the inadvertent alley-oop
Utah @ Phoenix
Eric Bledsoe will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season after failing to agree terms to a new deal recently, so when he nailed the game-winning three to give the Suns an 87-84 win, you can be sure he was thinking about how much his value had just increased. His final triple meant he had scored the Suns’ last 14 points and took his personal game tally to 18. Utah’s Kanter and Favors combined for 34 points and 29 rebounds in the loss.
Bledsoe’s game-winner
LA Clippers @ Sacramento
Blake Griffin’s 20 points and 17 rebounds helped the Clippers move past the Kings 110-101 who had a good contribution from their own big man, DeMarcus Cousins (24 points and 10 rebounds). CP3 had his third double-double in as many games with 26 points and 10 dimes. Isaiah Thomas led all scorers with 29 points.
San Antonio @ LA Lakers
The stars were missing in this contest with Tim Duncan sidelined for the Spurs and Kobe Bryant still recovering for the Lakers but Parker and Ginobili combined for 44 points to give the visiting Spurs a 91-85 win to move to 2-0 on the year. Pau Gasol had another strong showing, notching 20 points and 11 rebounds in defeat.