Celtics Topple 76ers, 126-117
The Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden, 126-117, on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
After an emotional pregame ceremony honoring the memory of franchise legend Bill Russell, the Celtics (1-0) got off to a somewhat sluggish start on defense and trailed by a 29-24 margin at the end of one. However, Boston had evened the score at 63 by halftime after an offense-centric second period during which the two squads combined for 73 points. The hosts then truly changed the dynamic of the game in the third quarter, when they established a 10-point lead while limiting the 76ers (0-1) to 25 points. The Celtics then essentially matched Philadelphia point for point over the final 12 minutes, leading to the solid nine-point season-opening victory.
James Harden led the way for the 76ers with 35 points, complementing them with eight rebounds and seven assists. Joel Embiid generated a 26-point, 15-rebound double-double that included five assists and one block. Tyrese Maxey furnished 21 points, two assists, one rebound and two steals. Tobias Harris delivered 18 points, two rebounds and three steals. P.J. Tucker totaled six points, four rebounds and one block in his Philadelphia regular-season debut.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown fittingly co-led the Celtics with 35 points apiece, with Tatum adding 12 rebounds and four assists and Brown supplying three boards, two assists and two steals among his non-scoring contributions. Malcolm Brogdon registered 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Grant Williams poured in 15 points, while Marcus Smart provided 14 points, seven assists, three rebounds and one steal.
The 76ers head home to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, while the Celtics hit the road and visit the Miami Heat on Friday night.
After an emotional pregame ceremony honoring the memory of franchise legend Bill Russell, the Celtics (1-0) got off to a somewhat sluggish start on defense and trailed by a 29-24 margin at the end of one. However, Boston had evened the score at 63 by halftime after an offense-centric second period during which the two squads combined for 73 points. The hosts then truly changed the dynamic of the game in the third quarter, when they established a 10-point lead while limiting the 76ers (0-1) to 25 points. The Celtics then essentially matched Philadelphia point for point over the final 12 minutes, leading to the solid nine-point season-opening victory.
James Harden led the way for the 76ers with 35 points, complementing them with eight rebounds and seven assists. Joel Embiid generated a 26-point, 15-rebound double-double that included five assists and one block. Tyrese Maxey furnished 21 points, two assists, one rebound and two steals. Tobias Harris delivered 18 points, two rebounds and three steals. P.J. Tucker totaled six points, four rebounds and one block in his Philadelphia regular-season debut.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown fittingly co-led the Celtics with 35 points apiece, with Tatum adding 12 rebounds and four assists and Brown supplying three boards, two assists and two steals among his non-scoring contributions. Malcolm Brogdon registered 16 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Grant Williams poured in 15 points, while Marcus Smart provided 14 points, seven assists, three rebounds and one steal.
The 76ers head home to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, while the Celtics hit the road and visit the Miami Heat on Friday night.
Warriors Defeat Lakers in Opener, 123-109
The Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 123-109, at Chase Center on Tuesday.
Golden State held the lead for the final 45 minutes of this game, riding a 32-19 third quarter to an easy win. They actually went on a 23-4 run to take a game-high 27-point lead in that frame, maintaining a double-digit lead for the closing 18 minutes. The Warriors shot 16-of-45 from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 10-of-40 from long range. Golden State also had 31 assists to 18 turnovers, while Los Angeles had 23 assists to 21 turnovers.
The Lakers (0-1) were led by LeBron James, tallying 31 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Anthony Davis accrued 27 points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Russell Westbrook finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, while Kendrick Nunn led the bench with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. No other player had more than five points.
The Warriors (1-0) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 33 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Andrew Wiggins amassed 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Klay Thompson totaled 18 points, two rebounds and three assists across just 19 minutes. Jordan Poole provided 12 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals to lead the bench.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. As for Golden State, they remain home to play the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Golden State held the lead for the final 45 minutes of this game, riding a 32-19 third quarter to an easy win. They actually went on a 23-4 run to take a game-high 27-point lead in that frame, maintaining a double-digit lead for the closing 18 minutes. The Warriors shot 16-of-45 from three-point range while holding the Lakers to 10-of-40 from long range. Golden State also had 31 assists to 18 turnovers, while Los Angeles had 23 assists to 21 turnovers.
The Lakers (0-1) were led by LeBron James, tallying 31 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Anthony Davis accrued 27 points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Russell Westbrook finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, while Kendrick Nunn led the bench with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. No other player had more than five points.
The Warriors (1-0) were led by Stephen Curry, collecting 33 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Andrew Wiggins amassed 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Klay Thompson totaled 18 points, two rebounds and three assists across just 19 minutes. Jordan Poole provided 12 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals to lead the bench.
On deck for Los Angeles is a home matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. As for Golden State, they remain home to play the Denver Nuggets on Friday.