Cavs, Spurs roll on as new-look Bulls spread love
Reigning champions the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs both made it three wins to open the NBA season following their respective victories on Saturday.
LeBron James and the Cavs downed the Orlando Magic 105-99, while the Spurs blitzed the New Orleans Pelicans 98-79.
The Chicago Bulls had six players with double-digit points as they overcame the Indiana Pacers 118-101 to remain undefeated through two games.
Also unbeaten are the Atlanta Hawks (2-0), who accounted for the Philadelphia 76ers 104-72.
There were also wins for the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.
CAVS WITHSTAND RALLY
The Magic huffed and puffed but could not condemn the Cavs to their first defeat of the season.
Cleveland surged into a 22-point lead late in the third quarter before Orlando gave the Cavs a scare, trailing 88-85 with four minutes remaining.
The Cavs steadied but the Magic responded again, this time via Serge Ibaka to be within three points with 45 seconds to play but J.R. Smith ended Orlando’s hopes.
Smith finished with 16 points, while James led the way by posting a game-high 23 points and nine assists. Kyrie Irving contributed 20, while Kevin Love added 19.
Evan Fournier starred with 22 points for the Magic, who are winless after three outings.
DOMINANT THIRD QUARTER SEES SPURS HOME
Even with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs remain a formidable force, evident by their performance in the third quarter.
Leading by 10 at half-time, the Spurs pulled clear in the third after outscoring the helpless Pelicans 28-15.
San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard led the way again with 20 points.
SIMMONS SHOWS NO MERCY
Simmons with yet another vicious dunk! @Spurs up big on @NBATV. #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/zDpUyDsRgf
— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2016
Porzingis with the 2 hand flush at MSG! #NBAVine https://t.co/iYhzb4ryjh
— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2016
BULLS SHAREÂ LOVE
This year’s version of the Bulls is vastly different than recent seasons, and through two games of the campaign that is a good thing.
In a 17-point win over the Pacers, six different Bulls scored in double figures with Doug McDermott leading the way with 23 on nine-of-14 shooting.
Rajon Rondo scored just six points but dished out 13 assists, while Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade scored 16 and 14 points, respectively. Even Robin Lopez is imposing his will with 12 points and nice defensive play.
BUCKS WIN ON THE BUZZER
With the scores locked at 108-apiece, reserve centre John Henson came up big late, tipping in Jabari Parker’s miss on the buzzer to give the Bucks a 110-108 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
The Knicks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 111-104, the Celtics saw off the Charlotte Hornets 104-98, the Portland Trail Blazers prevailed 115-113 in overtime against the Denver Nuggets, while the Sacramento Kings pipped the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-103.
FOUR IN A ROW?
The rampant Spurs are back in action on Sunday, this time against the Miami Heat. Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors take on the Phoenix Suns, while the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers.
