Young, Parker lead Atlanta to win over Detroit
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Detroit Pistons, 117-100, at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night in Atlanta's regular-season opener.
The Hawks (1-0) were one of the few franchises that hadn't debuted in The Association after the first two days of the regular season, but they came out firing against the Pistons (1-1), a team that simply ran out of gas in the second half. The Hawks jumped to a six-point lead following the first 12 minutes of action (38-32) but Detroit flipped the script in the second quarter, winning that frame by nine points and securing a three-point lead heading into the half-time break (63-60). However, it was all Atlanta from there. The Hawks destroyed the Pistons in the remaining two quarters, winning 31-18 and 26-19 respectively, to secure their first win of the season in front of a sell-out crowd at Little Caesars Arena.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks, as the second-year point guard came close to register a triple-double thanks to his 38 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. John Collins delivered a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while DeAndre Hunter finished with 14 points. Jabari Parker made some solid contributions off the bench with 18 points on 8-of-11 from the field. Rookie Cam Reddish struggled, however, going 0-for-6 and finishing with just one point.
Derrick Rose led the way for the Pistons despite coming off the bench, as he produced 27 points in only 25 minutes of action -- the veteran point guard went 11-of-16 from the field. Andre Drummond once again had a double-double since he finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block. Luke Kennard had 13 points off the bench. Reggie Jackson struggled from the field and only chipped in with five points on 2-of-8 from the field.
The Hawks (1-0) were one of the few franchises that hadn't debuted in The Association after the first two days of the regular season, but they came out firing against the Pistons (1-1), a team that simply ran out of gas in the second half. The Hawks jumped to a six-point lead following the first 12 minutes of action (38-32) but Detroit flipped the script in the second quarter, winning that frame by nine points and securing a three-point lead heading into the half-time break (63-60). However, it was all Atlanta from there. The Hawks destroyed the Pistons in the remaining two quarters, winning 31-18 and 26-19 respectively, to secure their first win of the season in front of a sell-out crowd at Little Caesars Arena.
Trae Young led the way for the Hawks, as the second-year point guard came close to register a triple-double thanks to his 38 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. John Collins delivered a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while DeAndre Hunter finished with 14 points. Jabari Parker made some solid contributions off the bench with 18 points on 8-of-11 from the field. Rookie Cam Reddish struggled, however, going 0-for-6 and finishing with just one point.
Derrick Rose led the way for the Pistons despite coming off the bench, as he produced 27 points in only 25 minutes of action -- the veteran point guard went 11-of-16 from the field. Andre Drummond once again had a double-double since he finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block. Luke Kennard had 13 points off the bench. Reggie Jackson struggled from the field and only chipped in with five points on 2-of-8 from the field.
Bucks Spoil Rockets' Home Opener
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the host Houston Rockets, 117-111, at Toyota Center on Thursday evening.
The Rockets got out to a hot start as they led 30-23 after one quarter. They kept their foot on the gas through the second and pushed their lead to 16 by halftime. The Bucks came out strong in the third and managed to outscore the hosts by seven in the quarter to cut the deficit to nine heading into the final frame. The Bucks maintained momentum and took a one-point lead four minutes into the fourth quarter. The Rockets responded and reclaimed the lead momentarily, but the Bucks closed the game on a 26-16 run to secure an impressive win in their season opener.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a massive 30-point triple-double, while six other players scored in double digits. Ersan Ilyasova tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, in 20 minutes off the bench. The Bucks shot 46 percent from the field, including 16-of-46 from long range and tallied 31 assists as a team. They limited themselves to 11 turnovers and on the other hand, forced the Rockets into 14 turnovers, off which the Bucks scored 21 points.
Meanwhile, James Harden and Russell Westbrook showed that they can coexist, as despite the loss, they both put on impressive performances in their home opener. Harden, Westbrook and Clint Capela all tallied double-doubles, while P.J. Tucker added 17 points and seven rebounds. The Rockets shot just 37 percent from the field, including 16-of-48 from deep and tallied 27 fast-break points and 10 offensive rebounds.
The Rockets (0-1) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pelicans on Saturday. The Bucks (1-0) play host to the Heat on Saturday.
The Rockets got out to a hot start as they led 30-23 after one quarter. They kept their foot on the gas through the second and pushed their lead to 16 by halftime. The Bucks came out strong in the third and managed to outscore the hosts by seven in the quarter to cut the deficit to nine heading into the final frame. The Bucks maintained momentum and took a one-point lead four minutes into the fourth quarter. The Rockets responded and reclaimed the lead momentarily, but the Bucks closed the game on a 26-16 run to secure an impressive win in their season opener.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a massive 30-point triple-double, while six other players scored in double digits. Ersan Ilyasova tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, in 20 minutes off the bench. The Bucks shot 46 percent from the field, including 16-of-46 from long range and tallied 31 assists as a team. They limited themselves to 11 turnovers and on the other hand, forced the Rockets into 14 turnovers, off which the Bucks scored 21 points.
Meanwhile, James Harden and Russell Westbrook showed that they can coexist, as despite the loss, they both put on impressive performances in their home opener. Harden, Westbrook and Clint Capela all tallied double-doubles, while P.J. Tucker added 17 points and seven rebounds. The Rockets shot just 37 percent from the field, including 16-of-48 from deep and tallied 27 fast-break points and 10 offensive rebounds.
The Rockets (0-1) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Pelicans on Saturday. The Bucks (1-0) play host to the Heat on Saturday.
Clippers Obliterate Warriors, 141-122
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the host Golden State Warriors, 141-122, at Chase Center on Thursday.
Golden State surely wanted to play well in the first game played at Chase Center but Los Angeles thoroughly dominated this matchup. In fact, they won this game in wire-to-wire fashion, leading by at least 15 points for the final 22 minutes of action. The Clippers ended up shooting 63 percent from the field and 56 percent from three-point range while the Warriors shot 39 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. Los Angeles also dominated the paint, winning the defensive rebounding battle, 36-27, while out-blocking Golden State, 5-0.
The Clippers (2-0) were led by Lou Williams, who provided 22 points, three rebounds and eight assists off the bench. Kawhi Leonard played just 21 minutes but led the starters with 21 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Ivica Zubac amassed 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Patrick Patterson totaled 20 points while Montrezl Harrell accrued 18 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench as well.
The Warriors (0-1) were led by Stephen Curry, who tallied 23 points, four rebounds and four assists but committed eight turnovers. D'Angelo Russell finished with 20 points and eight assists. Glenn Robinson III got the start and accumulated 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. Eric Paschall led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals while Jacob Evans III generated 14 points and four boards.
On deck for the Clippers is a road matchup versus the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. As for Golden State, they travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday for their next fixture.
Golden State surely wanted to play well in the first game played at Chase Center but Los Angeles thoroughly dominated this matchup. In fact, they won this game in wire-to-wire fashion, leading by at least 15 points for the final 22 minutes of action. The Clippers ended up shooting 63 percent from the field and 56 percent from three-point range while the Warriors shot 39 percent from the field and 36 percent from long range. Los Angeles also dominated the paint, winning the defensive rebounding battle, 36-27, while out-blocking Golden State, 5-0.
The Clippers (2-0) were led by Lou Williams, who provided 22 points, three rebounds and eight assists off the bench. Kawhi Leonard played just 21 minutes but led the starters with 21 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Ivica Zubac amassed 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Patrick Patterson totaled 20 points while Montrezl Harrell accrued 18 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench as well.
The Warriors (0-1) were led by Stephen Curry, who tallied 23 points, four rebounds and four assists but committed eight turnovers. D'Angelo Russell finished with 20 points and eight assists. Glenn Robinson III got the start and accumulated 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. Eric Paschall led the bench with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals while Jacob Evans III generated 14 points and four boards.
On deck for the Clippers is a road matchup versus the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. As for Golden State, they travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday for their next fixture.