Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry put on a show on opening night as he dropped 40 points to lead his side to a convincing 111-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
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Curry sent a league-wide message that this edition of the Dubs will be just as good – if not better – than last season’s title team as he finished with 40 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 35 minutes of action.
Stephen Curry was a beast this evening, scoring 24 points in the first quarter.
Warriors Interim head coach Luke Walton expected former Warriors assistant and current Pelicans coach, Alvin Gentry, to use more small lineups during the first half.
OAKLAND, Calif._Stephen Curry served as the master of ceremonies as the Golden State Warriors unfurled a championship banner and accepted gaudy rings in front of the team’s roaring fans.
This was the 19th straight home win for the Warriors since January 31.
After opening this season the way he finished the last, Curry and the Golden State Warriors visit Houston on Friday night looking to remind the Rockets why they’re the defending champions.
CHICAGO – Nikola Mirotic scored 19 points in a starting role and the Chicago Bulls opened the National Basketball Association regular season on a winning note, following a battling 97-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bogut shot six-of-six from the field for 12 points and tallied five rebounds on Tuesday. After trailing by 12 points in the first quarter, the Pelicans rallied to take a 44-43 lead in the second.
“The team was coming off a good last postseason game so we were coming off a good flow and we carried that over for the start tonight”, said Curry postgame. Last season MVP Finals Andre Iguodala scored only 2 points in 23 minutes.
Anthony Davis was the Pelicans’ top-scorer with 18 points despite a poor shooting night that saw him make just four out of the 20 shots he took.
Ish Smith, who was acquired from waiver wire before the season started, added 17 points on top of nine assists and three steals, while Eric Gordon racked up 14 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Pelicans, who committed 18 turnovers for the entire match.
He hit the 40-point mark in the third quarter when he drained his fifth 3-pointer of the game. “There was obviously an adrenaline rush after the ring ceremony, so we were off and running”. The season was concluded with Warriors besting all of the other teams and with Curry being declared as the season’s MVP. However, Cleveland’s fate felt sealed when a James’ drive to tie the game met rejection; soon afterward the Cavs failed to execute an inbounds play with just seconds left.
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The Golden State players flashed their rings on camera, smiled for Instagram photos and looked like they hadn’t missed a beat.
