Saturday night featured another big upset in Philadelphia, Paul George continuing his hot start to the season and the insane wingspan of one flying Pelican. Here's a wrap up of the first Saturday night of the NBA season.
NBA scores: Sixers upset Bulls, Trail Blazers hold off Spurs
Michael Carter-Williams dazzles as the Sixers pick up their third victory and LaMarcus Aldridge picks apart the Spurs. Our wrap up of action around the league Saturday.
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers (L) vs. Indiana Pacers (W)
Final Score: 89-74
The Indiana Pacers have opened the season 3-0 after a stifling defensive performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Indiana held Cleveland to 74 points and have yet to allow more than 90 points in a game. Paul George ended the night with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Lance Stephenson put in a game-high 22 points and made five of his seven three-point attempts.
Chicago Bulls (L) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (W)
Final score: 107-104
The Philadelphia 76ers have opened their season 3-0 after a a comeback victory against the Chicago Bulls. Michael Carter-Williams continued an impressive start to his NBA career with a 26 point, 10 assist, three rebound and three steal effort. The highlight of the night? This ridiculous behind-the-back pass to Spencer Hawes for the game-clincher:
Rose struggled to deal with Carter-Williams’ length and had eight turnovers total in the game. He finished 4-of-14 from the field for 14 points.
#TheReturn? Not today, says Tony Wroten:
Charlotte Bobcats (L) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (W)
Final score: 103-78
Anthony Davis dominated the Charlotte Bobcats, stuffing his stat sheet and this poor, poor rim:
Final tally on his damage? 26 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, six steals and four assists. The Bobcats struggled from the field, shooting 36 percent overall and 15 percent from beyond the arc. Fly Pelicans, fly.
Memphis Grizzlies (L) vs. Dallas Mavericks (W)
Final Score: 111-99
Dirk Nowitzki made three of his four three-point attempts on his way to 24 points and a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis struggled from deep, making only three of their attempts from deep. Mike Conley finished with a team-high 24 points along with eight assists. Shawn Marion had a double-double with 21 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Conley, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol combined for 68 of Memphis' 99 points.
Dishonorable mention to Tony Allen, who missed all six of his field goal attempts:
Toronto Raptors (W) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (L)
Final Score: 97-90
The Toronto Raptors survived a fourth-quarter run from the Milwaukee Bucks and rode Rudy Gay's 18 points and 15 rebounds (both game-highs) to victory. Rookie guard Nate Wolters had seven points and 10 assists, handling point guard duties with Gary Neal as Luke Ridnour and Brandon Knight both missed the game with injuries.
Houston Rockets (W) vs. Utah Jazz (L)
Final Score: 104-93
The Houston Rockets have won their first three games, and have transitioned into the "Dwight Howard era" without much pause. There's still that bearded guy, though, who's one of the best in the NBA at getting to the rim:
James Harden finished with 23 points and five assists. Chandler Parsons had game-highs in points (24) and rebounds (12). The tower duo of Omer Asik and Dwight Howard combined for 18 rebounds.
Houston shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and had 35 free throw attempts. Not a recipe for success from Utah.
San Antonio Spurs (L) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (W)
Final Score: 115-105
The Portland Trail Blazers held off the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter and picked up their first franchise win in the Moda Center. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 points on 64 percent shooting, picking the Spurs apart from mid-range:
Oh, and Nicolas Batum notched a triple-double with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Batum drained a shot as time ran out in the fourth once the game was decided to reach double-digit scoring. Local photographer Bruce Ely caught this classic moment from Tim Duncan as he walked off court:
What do you think Duncan is thinking of #blazers @nicolas88batum shot at the buzzer to get triple double? #ripcity pic.twitter.com/dkdhNRq3sd
— Bruce Ely (@bruceely) November 3, 2013
Sacramento Kings (L) vs. Golden State Warriors (W)
Final Score: 98-87
This may come as a shocker, but the Golden State Warriors continue running teams out of the building and into the ground. Stephen Curry continued lighting up the league from beyond the arc, draining five of his eight three-point attempts.
The Kings' starters struggled to score, combining for 22 points. Klay Thompson outscored that starting unit alone with his game-high 27 points on 17 field goal attempts.
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