Warriors, Celtics log opening victories
As NBA ushers new season with ring ceremony in Oakland, Warriors and Celtics crush favorite whipping squads
The Golden State Warriors received their championship rings and then held off Oklahoma City, 108-100, on Tuesday as the defending champions began their quest for a third straight crown. Steph Curry had 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds while Kevin Durant added 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 105-87, in a battle of East favorites.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA— Everywhere in the NBA, there was an air of optimism as opening night finally tipped off. New season, new hope. But as the final buzzer sounded on two season openers Tuesday night, the narrative had an old familiar feel to it: Bug, meet windshield.
Golden State celebrated ring night by holding off Oklahoma City while on the opposite coast, Boston toyed around with Philadelphia as the two teams many figure could end up tussling for the championship locked down win No. 1.
On a festive night of celebration as another championship banner went up, Steph Curry had 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Kevin Durant added 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and the Golden State Warriors opened their quest for a three-peat by holding off the Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-100, on Tuesday night.
“I love who we are, game 1 of 82,” Durant said. “Just keep grinding.”
Just as the Warriors needed a strong finish to hold off the per- sistent Thunder, the Celtics waltzed to victory after struggling early against the same team they ripped in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.
Yes, the Celtics will need time to figure out how to get the most out of their loaded roster this season.
But no, it didn’t stop them from picking up their first victo- ry on a night they celebrated the official return of their two biggest stars.
Jayson Tatum had 23 points and nine rebounds, and the Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 105-87.
Boston won despite shooting just 43 percent (42 of 97) from the field and 30 percent from the three-point line (11 of 37). But the Celtics’ struggles didn’t dampen the mood inside TD Garden for the return to regular-season action for Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving.
Hayward said it was “amazing” to be
back out there. “My adrenaline was pumping those first three or four minutes,” Hayward said. “I think everybody’s adrenaline was pumping. It was sloppy at first. It was great just to be out there. It was a big step for me.” Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Simmons finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Embiid made it clear afterward the 76ers have a way to go to be on the Celtics’ level. “This not a rivalry,” he said. “I don’t know our record against them. But it’s pretty bad. They always kick our ass. So this is not a rivalry.” Hayward played in his first game since undergoing surgery and more than 10 months of rehabilitation for the gruesome left ankle injury he suffered five minutes into last year’s season opener.
Irving was also back following a pair of surgeries on his left knee that caused him to miss the end of the regular season and playoffs.
After receiving loud ovations during pregame introductions, Irving and Hayward both had sluggish starts.
Hayward missed his first four shots before making backto-back jumpers. Irving missed his first nine attempts from the field. He didn’t score until finally connecting on a pair of free throws early in the third quarter.
They shot a combined 6 for 26 for the game. Hayward finished with 10 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes. Irving had seven points and seven assists. Boston got some distance in the second half thanks largely to its
bench, which outscored its Philadelphia counterparts 44-26. “We’re all just unselfish,” said Terry Rozier, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. “The depth, that’s the most special part about this team.” Golden State needed a strong fourth quarter after the two-time defending champions received its 2018 rings in a pregame ceremony shortly before tipoff and began the final season at Oracle Arena before a move across San Francisco Bay to new Chase Center. “It’s a great move for the organization. We know that but this place is special, so we want to make sure this is a special season,” coach Steve Kerr said.
Klay Thompson shot just 5 of 20 for 14 points while center Damian Jones scored 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting for the Warriors in his first career start.
Kerr knows his players are still getting in shape and looked tired, saying: “We didn’t look much like ourselves. It’s not surprising either. We need a couple more weeks.”