Day one of the 2024-2025 NBA season came and went on Wednesday with three lopsided finishes and a few close contests.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (136-106 over Toronto), Orlando Magic (116-97 over Miami), and Golden State Warriors (139-104 over Portland) all won with ease. The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, meanwhile, played a tight overtime game in which the Suns prevailed 116-113.
James Harden, playing a role that he had not since his days as a Houston Rocket, commanded the Clipper offense. He played 40 minutes and scored 29 points and had 12 assists and 8 rebounds but shot just 10-for-28 from the field and 2-of-9 from three-point range. He did however do a good job of setting teammates up for looks and was aggressive in getting to the basket. His missed free-throw late in overtime would have tied the game. Norman Powell made just 5-of-16 shots in 40 minutes. The Clippers though are an intriguing group because of their newfound athleticism with the likes of Derrick Jones Jr. and Kai Jones.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 25 points, while Bradley Beal finished with 24 points (8-for-12). Devin Booker shot only nine times (15 points) and fouled out late.
Other final scores from Wednesday:
Pacers 115
Pistons 109
Hawks 120
Nets 116
Bucks 124
76ers 109
Hornets 110
Rockets 105
Pelicans 123
Bulls 111
Grizzlies 126
Jazz 124
The Pistons had six in double figures led by Cade Cunningham’s 28 (8 assists, 5 rebounds). Jaden Ivey scored 17, newcomers Tim
Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley 14, and Tobias Harris (another newcomer) 13. Big man Jalen Duren, just 20 years old, put up 13 points and 13 rebounds. He has star potential.
For the Pacers, Myles Turner had 20 points and 9 rebounds and Pascal Siakam 19 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds out of the starting group. Bennedict Mathurin was great off the bench with 19 points and 6 rebounds (5-for-8, 28 minutes), as was T.J. McConnell with 14 points (7-for-8) in 16 minutes.
The game was competitive throughout with the Piston veterans stepping up. The team has a good mix of young guys and vets. The Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton struggled shooting all game but hit a clutch triple late to extend their lead that ultimately proved to be the clinching shot.
The Nets’ Cam Thomas exploded for 20 fourth quarter points (36 overall, 14-for-27, 7-for-13) but it was not enough to get by the Hawks in a game that was close especially down the stretch. Cam Johnson and Dennis Schroder combined to go just 9-for-27 for 27 points, while rookie Jalen Wilson added 16 off the bench. Trae Young (7-for-16, 37 minutes) scored 30 points and had 12 assists and 5 rebounds, while Onyeka Okongwu was spectacular off the bench with 28 points and 8 rebounds on 11-for-12 shooting. Dyson Daniels, who came over in the Dejounte Murray trade, scored 15 points, while De’Andre Hunter (12 points, 3-for-10) struggled.
Damian Lillard (30 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists) led the Bucks over the depleted 76ers.
Paolo Banchero’s 33 points and 11 rebounds led the Magic. Terry Rozier led the Heat with 19 points, Nikola Jokic scored 15, and Tyler Herro 14. Jaime Jaquez scored 13 off the bench. Jimmy Butler struggled, just 1-for-8 in 26 minutes. Bam Adebayo attempted five shots, making one, for 9 points. Evan Mobley’s 25 points and 9 rebounds led the Cavs’ rout of Toronto. Scottie Barnes scored just 9 points on 3-for-14 shooting.
Lamelo Ball’s 34 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds led the Hornets past the Rockets, aided by Tre Mann’s 24 points off the bench. Jalen Green (28 points) led the Rockets in scoring but he was only 5-for-15 from deep. Alperen Sengun was great with 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 assists.
In the Grizzlies’ 126-124 win, Santi Aldama scored 27, Desmond Bane 24, Jay Huff 13, and Marcus Smart 11. Ja Morant finished with 22 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds on 7-for-12 shooting. Zach Edey fouled out in just 15 minutes of play, registering 5 points and 5 rebounds.
Buddy Hield (5-for-7 from deep) scored 22 points in 15 minutes for the Warriors, while Andrew Wiggins scored 20 and Stephen Curry 17. Trayce Jackson-Davis contributed 14 and Jonathan Kuminga 10 out of the starting group. Moses Moody (15) and De’Anthony Melton (10) had good bench performances. Scoot Henderson (7-for-18, 28 minutes) led the Trail Blazers with 22 points. All five Blazer starters finished in double figures, led by Jerami Grant’s 16.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 33 points in a game that Zion Williamson missed due to illness, and C.J. McCollum added 23. Murray, in 30 minutes, put up 14 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds but was just 4-for-15 from the field. The win came with bad news, as it was announced after the game that Murray will be out for an extended period of time with a fractured left hand. The loss is a big one for a Pelicans team that traded for the guard in order to get a primary playmaker that could take some of the playmaking responsibilities away from Williamson. Zach Lavine led the Bulls with 27 points, while Nikola Vucevic put up 21 points and 11 rebounds. Coby White struggled, going just 4-for-13 including missing all five three-point attempts.
Thursday’s action sees the Boston Celtics visit the Washington Wizards (7 p.m.), the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Sacramento Kings at 10 p.m., and the TNT doubleheader features the San Antonio Spurs at the Dallas Mavericks (7:30 p.m.) followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Denver Nuggets.
Commenti