‘HARD-FOUGHT’ ENCOUNTER
Tempers flare as Rockets down Lakers
JAMES Harden scored 36 points, and Chris Paul added 28 points with 10 assists as the Houston Rockets spoiled LeBron James’ home opener with the Los Angeles Lakers by earning a highintensity 124-115 victory Saturday night.
Three players were ejected with 4:13 remaining after an oncourt altercation that started after the Lakers’ Brandon Ingram committed a hard foul on Harden. After the whistle, Paul and the Lakers’ Rajon Rondo threw punches at each other, with Ingram also joining the fray. Paul, Rondo and Ingram all were ejected.
James scored 24 points on his new home floor, adding five rebounds and five assists. James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, signed a four-year US$154 million (RM631.5 million) deal with the Lakers in the offseason.
The Rockets led 109-108 at the time of the on-court confrontation and put the game away afterward, getting a key 3-pointer from PJ Tucker with 2:31 remaining for a 117-112 lead. Harden added a 3-pointer of his own with 1:12 remaining to give Houston a 120-113 lead.
Nikola Jokic scored 11 of his game-high 35 points in an early runaway, helping hosts Denver blow out Phoenix 119-91 in a battle of teams who had won their NBA openers.
Jokic hit all 11 of his shots and completed his 17th career tripledouble with game highs of 12 rebounds and 11 assists for the Nuggets, who were making their home debut after winning 107-98 in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday.
Damian Lillard put on a spectacular offensive display, and hosts Portland collected 75 points in the middle two quarters in beating San Antonio 121-108.
Lillard scored 29 points and dished out nine assists with no turnovers, sinking 9 of 15 shots from the field, 3 of 6 from 3-point range and 8 of 8 from the freethrow line in just 30 minutes.
Kemba Walker scored 39 points and hit a free throw with 0.5 seconds remaining to give Charlotte a bizarre 113-112 win at Miami.
Walker, who surpassed the career 10,000-point plateau early in the third quarter, was fouled as the Hornets played for the final shot with the score tied 112-112. He made the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second to allow the clock to expire.
Dennis Smith Jr. drained a step-back jumper and drew a foul for a three-point play with 6.1 seconds left to break a tie and lead Dallas to a 140-136 wild win in their home opener against Minnesota, who were playing without the disenchanted Jimmy Butler on the second night of a back-toback.
The Mavs, after losing by 21 points at Phoenix in their season opener Wednesday, got 26 points from rookie Luka Doncic, who showed poise down the stretch that included two big baskets late in the fourth.
Ish Smith made a finger roll with 5.4 seconds remaining, giving Detroit a 118-116 victory over hosts Chicago.
The game-winner came after Chicago scored five unanswered points to tie it. Following a timeout, Smith weaved past defenders and dropped in his layup.
Kyle Lowry had 28 points and 12 assists, and visiting Toronto held off a late Washington rally to win 117-113.
Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka scored 16 points apiece for Toronto, who improved to 3-0. The Raptors, playing the second of back-to-back games, gave forward Kawhi Leonard the night off.
Jayson Tatum scored all six points for Boston in the final minute and finished with a teamhigh 24 points in beating hosts New York 103-101.
Tatum also had 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who have won two of three to open the season.
JJ Redick’s eighth 3-pointer was the decisive basket with 17 seconds remaining as hosts Philadelphia edged Orlando 116115 on a night that saw 76ers point guard and reigning Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons leave in the first quarter with tightness in his back.
Joel Embiid scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Redick added 31 points as the 76ers won their second straight game following a season-opening loss.
Victor Oladipo scored a gamehigh 25 points — one of nine Pacers in double figures — and added four steals as host Indiana crushed Brooklyn 132-112.