Lakers launch new era with 120- 114 win
1st season without Bryant since 1995
The new- look Los Angeles Lakers, with Kobe Bryant retired and coach Luke Walton at the helm, opened their NBA season with a 120- 114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. D’Angelo Russell scored 20 points and Julius Randle added 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, who overcame James Harden’s 34 points and career- high 17 assists for Houston.
“It feels good,” said Walton, a former Laker who cut his coaching teeth as an assistant to Steve Kerr at Golden State.
The 36- year- old coach has been tasked with turning around a Lakers team that plunged to a 21- 61 record in 2014- 15, only to follow up with a franchise worst 17- 65 campaign last season. The rebuilding Lakers are embarking on their first season since 1995 without superstar Bryant.
Two free throws from Clarkson lifted the Lakers to a 108- 104 lead with 6: 41 to play. But Harden converted a pair of foul shots with 3: 53 left to knot the score at 110.
Two Russell free throws boosted the Lakers to a 113- 112 lead with 2: 47 remaining and the hosts wouldn’t trail from there.
The Rockets, who led by as many as 10 points, grabbed a 71- 63 edge at the half. They connected on 64.4 percent of their shots compared to 53.2 percent for the Lakers before the break.
In Orlando, the Miami Heat, forging ahead after the free agent departure of Dwayne Wade, opened the season with a 108- 96 victory over the Magic.
The Heat made up for what they lack in star power with energy, a well- balanced attack and determined defense. Six Heat players scored in double figures and six players notched at least six rebounds.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, also adjusting to the departure of a star after Kevin Durant signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors, leaned on Russell Westbrook in a 103- 97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan poured in 40 points to lead the Raptors to a 109- 91 victory over the Detroit Pistons. DeRozan connected on 17 of 27 shots from the field and six of six free throws in the game.
A monster 50- point game from New Orleans’ Anthony Davis couldn’t save the New Orleans Pelicans, however, as they fell 107- 102 to the Denver Nuggets.