NBA Game 1 Recap: Westbrook leads Thunder, Lakers shock Rockets and Spurs too good for Warriors
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat made winning starts to the NBA season, while Anthony Davis stole the show.
Russell Westbrook led the Thunder past the Philadelphia 76ers with a double-double on Wednesday.
The Heat overcame the Orlando Magic, but the day belonged to Davis despite the New Orleans Pelicans’ loss.
David was enormous with 50 points, 16 rebounds, seven steals and five assists in the Pelicans’ 107-102 defeat to the Denver Nuggets.
The San Antonio Spurs stunned the Golden State Warriors, while the Cleveland Cavaliers started the NBA season with a win.
Kawhi Leonard had a game-high 35 points as the Spurs crushed the Warriors 129-100 on Tuesday.
Reigning champions the Cavaliers were too good for the New York Knicks 117-88 as LeBron James had a triple-triple, Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 113-104.
WESTBROOK IMPRESSES
Westbrook will be relied upon even more so by the Thunder with Kevin Durant gone, and he stepped up in a 103-97 win over the 76ers.
He finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.
Joel Embiid impressed for the 76ers with his 20 points.
HASSAN’S HEAT
The Heat started their campaign with a 108-96 victory against the Magic.
Hassan Whiteside’s double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds helped the Heat, who had six players in double digits for points.
DAVIS’ DAY
Davis was huge for the Pelicans, but his team were still beaten by the Nuggets.
He had almost half of New Orleans’ points and went 17-of-34 from the field.
WESTBROOK LEADS THUNDER
Westbrook drills the 3 to bring the @okcthunder within 1 w/ 4 minutes left to play on @ESPNNBA. #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/zA4JKynyba
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2016
Westbrook throws it down with AUTHORITY! @ESPNNBA #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/FDuTH5o9zg
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2016
LAKERS BEAT ROCKETS
The Los Angeles Lakers were 120-114 winners over the Houston Rockets, the Indiana Pacers overcame the Dallas Mavericks 130-121 after overtime, the Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 122-117 and DeMar DeRozan (40 points) led the Toronto Raptors past the Detroit Pistons 109-91.
The Memphis Grizzlies edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-98, the Charlotte Hornets claimed a 107-96 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Sacramento Kings eased past the Phoenix Suns 113-94.
CLIPPERS HOST BLAZERS
The Los Angeles Clippers get their season under way with a clash against the Portland Trail Blazers. The San Antonio Spurs are back in action in a meeting with the Sacramento Kings.
STUNNING SPURS
Leonard was well supported by LaMarcus Aldridge (26 points) and Jonathon Simmons (20).
The Warriors shot at just 21.2 per cent from three-point range.
Stephen Curry (26 points) was three-of-10 from distance, while Kevin Durant had a team-high 27 points.
CAVS CLOSE
The Cavs celebrated the night with a ring ceremony and followed that up by beating the Knicks.
James’ 19 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds guided Cleveland, while Kyrie Irving finished with 29 points.
Kevin Love had a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds.
TRAIL BLAZERS WIN
Damian Lillard was the star for the Trail Blazers with 39 points against the Jazz.
