After a long summer break, the NBA draft, the summer market, pre-season games, that day finally came: the start of the new NBA season, for the 70th time. Three matches were played last night in the world of „The Flying Circus”, and already we have some surprises, but let’s start from the beginning.
NBA began in Atlanta where the domestic team hosted the Detroit Pistons. However, according to the coach Mike Budenholzer, the new season did not bring the old game, so the Hawks were left without wings enrolling first defeat 94:106. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope decided to enter the new season strongly, and tonight he was the man who had brought production in the attack. In the end, the shooting guard finished with 21 points and four rebounds and with excellent 50% field-goal (7-14). Sturdy center Andre Drummond was the second link that has played a significant role in the Stan Van Gundy’s chain. This 211 centimeters tall guy ended the match with an impressive double-double performance of 18 points and 19 rebounds. A summer acquisition, Marcus Morris, scored 18 points and ten rebounds. On the other end, Dennis Schroeder was the top scorer of the team with 20 points and four assists. All-Star point guard Jeff Teague chipped in with 18 points and five assists.
The second match of the evening was also the opening derby of the season and a real treat for fans, as the Chicago Bulls welcomed the ruling champions of the Eastern Conference, Cleveland Cavaliers. However, not even Noah’s injury prevented the Bulls from recording a first triumph at the start of the season 97:95. The match could easily go into overtime, but the last attempt of LeBron James was blocked By Pau Gasol and promoted the into a hero even though he ended the match with only 2 points and 2 rebounds in 32 minutes. Gasol had six blocks, though. Nikola Mirotic was a top scorer with 19 points and nine rebounds. Derrick Rose had 18 points and five assists, but with disastrous field goal percentage, hitting only 8 out of 22 attempts. On the other hand, LeBron James was singled out as the leader with 25 points, ten rebounds, and five assists. Kevin Love helped with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Mo Williams, who was given the task of changing the injured Irving, scored 19 with seven assists.
The last match of the evening brought a show directed by one man: Steph Curry. Reigning MVP impressed from the first day of the new NBA season and great Golden State point guard fired a 40 points against the Pelicans and thus brought the 111: 95 triumph to his team in Oracle Arena. Fantastic Curry exploded in the first quarter and scored 24 points! He ended up with a high percentage from the field, 14-26, and 5-12 beyond the arc. On the other hand, helpless Anthony Davis recorded one of the worst games in his NBA career. Although he scored 18 points and six rebounds, this guy was out of the match, shooting a devastating 4-20, and his team practically did not have anything to hope for.
Atlanta Hawks-Detroit Pistons 94:106
Chicago Bulls-Cleveland Cavaliers 97:95
Golden State Warriors-New Orleans Pelicans 111:95
