NBA Opens 2015-16 Season with 3 Games
The NBA officially welcomed the 2015-16 season with three games. The reigning NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors hosted the New Orleans Pelicans. Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls faced off against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Chicago. Last but not the least, the Atlanta Hawks took on the new-look Detroit Pistons. Going with the tradition, commissioner Adam Silver awarded the Golden State Warriors’ championship rings to the team before their game against New Orleans tipped off.
Pelicans vs. Warriors, 95-111
Plagued by off-season injuries, the Pelicans did not pose a threat to the defending champs. The Warriors looked good and as if they were already in playoff-mode. Reigning league MVP, Stephen Curry torched them for 40 points. He scored 24 in the first quarter alone. Pelicans’ big man Anthony Davis struggled with long and mid-range shots, making just 4-of-20 shots from the field. He finished the game with 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
Warriors’ center Andrew Bogut had to go to the locker room after getting cut above his right eye.
Cavaliers vs. Bulls, 95-97
An amazing block by Pau Gasol over LeBron James in the dying seconds of the game secured the win for the Bulls on opening night. The Spaniard’s sixth block of the night proved to be the most important one. Nikola Mirotic led the Bulls with 19 points. Oft-injured point guard, Derrick Rose was able to log 32 minutes, but struggled to find his range and made just 8-of-22 shots from the field.
LeBron James led the Cavs with a double-double performance, scoring a game-high 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while handing out five assists.
Pistons vs. Hawks, 106-94
All of Detroit’s starters finished in double figures in what looked like a very impressive show of what they were capable of on offense. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led all scorers with 21 points. Athletic big man, Andre Drummond compiled 18 points and 19 boards.
The Hawks appeared to be out of sync in this one and perhaps still need to shake off some of that off-season rust. Dennis Shroder came up big for them off the bench with 20 points. Paul Millsap led two other starters in double figures with 19 points and eight rebounds.
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The NBA season is finally underway and fans all over the world can finally enjoy some fantastic basketball action they’ve been waiting for.