Raptors Outlast Pelicans in OT, 130-122
The Toronto Raptors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime, 130-122, at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night in the regular-season opener for both clubs.
What was once to be the highly anticipated regular-season debut of Zion Williamson (knee) had less star power than originally planned, but it didn't stop the two teams from providing the Opening Night crowd with an exciting, back-and-forth affair. The Pelicans (0-1) adjusted well without the services of their first overall pick, forging a 61-56 halftime lead. However, the Raptors (1-0) began to turn the tables in the third quarter, erasing their deficit and entering the final period with a two-point edge. A nip-and-tuck fourth quarter culminated with Kyle Lowry answering a J.J. Redick 19-foot pullup jumper with a pair of free throws to send the game into overtime. In the extra period, Toronto finished on an 11-2 run punctuated by a Lowry three-pointer with just under a minute remaining to notch the eight-point win.
Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 22 points, adding five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Redick poured in 16 points and added two boards and one assist. Josh Hart furnished a bench-leading 15 points that he supplemented with 10 boards, one assist and one block. Nicolo Melli followed with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday totaled 13 points, six assists, four rebounds and two blocks. Lonzo Ball managed eight points, five rebounds and five assists in his Pelicans debut.
Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam co-led the Raptors with matching 34-point tallies. VanVleet added seven assists, five rebounds and two steals, while Siakam also registered 18 rebounds, five assists and one block. Lowry chipped in 22 points and also posted six assists, five boards and two steals. Serge Ibaka led the bench with 13 points and also managed five rebounds and one steal. OG Anunoby provided 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
The Pelicans jump back into action Friday night against the Mavericks in New Orleans' home opener, while the Raptors pay a visit to the Boston Celtics on Friday evening as well.
What was once to be the highly anticipated regular-season debut of Zion Williamson (knee) had less star power than originally planned, but it didn't stop the two teams from providing the Opening Night crowd with an exciting, back-and-forth affair. The Pelicans (0-1) adjusted well without the services of their first overall pick, forging a 61-56 halftime lead. However, the Raptors (1-0) began to turn the tables in the third quarter, erasing their deficit and entering the final period with a two-point edge. A nip-and-tuck fourth quarter culminated with Kyle Lowry answering a J.J. Redick 19-foot pullup jumper with a pair of free throws to send the game into overtime. In the extra period, Toronto finished on an 11-2 run punctuated by a Lowry three-pointer with just under a minute remaining to notch the eight-point win.
Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 22 points, adding five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal. Redick poured in 16 points and added two boards and one assist. Josh Hart furnished a bench-leading 15 points that he supplemented with 10 boards, one assist and one block. Nicolo Melli followed with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. Jrue Holiday totaled 13 points, six assists, four rebounds and two blocks. Lonzo Ball managed eight points, five rebounds and five assists in his Pelicans debut.
Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam co-led the Raptors with matching 34-point tallies. VanVleet added seven assists, five rebounds and two steals, while Siakam also registered 18 rebounds, five assists and one block. Lowry chipped in 22 points and also posted six assists, five boards and two steals. Serge Ibaka led the bench with 13 points and also managed five rebounds and one steal. OG Anunoby provided 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
The Pelicans jump back into action Friday night against the Mavericks in New Orleans' home opener, while the Raptors pay a visit to the Boston Celtics on Friday evening as well.
Clippers Defeat Lakers, 112-102, in Season Opener
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 112-102, at Staples Center on Tuesday.
In the battle of Los Angeles, the Clippers prevailed on opening night. The key for the Clippers was their bench, outscoring the Lakers bench, 60-19. The Clippers did almost all of their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring the Lakers, 67-46. The shooting disparity was also critical, with the Clippers connecting on 52 percent of their shots while holding the Lakers to 44 percent from the field. That defense was also evident with the Clippers doubling up the Lakers in steals, 8-4.
The Lakers (0-1) leading scorer was Danny Green, as he provided 28 points, seven rebounds and two steals on 7-of-9 from long range. Anthony Davis finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. LeBron James accrued 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while no other Laker reached double figures in scoring.
The Clippers (1-0) were led by Kawhi Leonard, totaling 30 points, six rebounds and five assists. He was actually the only starter in double figures, but Patrick Beverley did total 10 rebounds and six assists. Lou Williams led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds and seven assists while Montrezl Harrell accumulated 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
On deck for the Clippers is a road matchup versus the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. As for the Lakers, they play host to the Utah Jazz on Friday for their next fixture.
In the battle of Los Angeles, the Clippers prevailed on opening night. The key for the Clippers was their bench, outscoring the Lakers bench, 60-19. The Clippers did almost all of their damage in the second and fourth quarters, outscoring the Lakers, 67-46. The shooting disparity was also critical, with the Clippers connecting on 52 percent of their shots while holding the Lakers to 44 percent from the field. That defense was also evident with the Clippers doubling up the Lakers in steals, 8-4.
The Lakers (0-1) leading scorer was Danny Green, as he provided 28 points, seven rebounds and two steals on 7-of-9 from long range. Anthony Davis finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. LeBron James accrued 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists while no other Laker reached double figures in scoring.
The Clippers (1-0) were led by Kawhi Leonard, totaling 30 points, six rebounds and five assists. He was actually the only starter in double figures, but Patrick Beverley did total 10 rebounds and six assists. Lou Williams led the bench with 21 points, five rebounds and seven assists while Montrezl Harrell accumulated 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
On deck for the Clippers is a road matchup versus the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. As for the Lakers, they play host to the Utah Jazz on Friday for their next fixture.