Many NBA experts are predicting a Boston Celtics-Golden State Warriors Finals matchup, and both of those teams opened up the NBA regular season on Tuesday night. First, the Celtics welcomed Gordon Hayward back for the first time since his gruesome injury in last year's season opener, and they earned a 105-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Hayward had 10 points in his return, while Jayson Tatum led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds at the TD Garden.
The Celtics shot just 43 percent from the field, including 30 percent from three-point range, despite getting Kyrie Irving back from injury as well. Marcus Morris stepped up with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Al Horford had nine points and five blocks
in a tough defensive effort.
Boston led by as many as 18 points in this one, as they have now defeated the 76ers 10 straight times at home, and that includes beating them in last season's Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Joel Embiid had 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Ben Simmons had 19 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in the loss for the Sixers. They will move on to their home opener against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, while the Celtics will hit the road to battle Kawhi Leonard's Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors started another NBA Title defense against the Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Steph Curry had 32 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in the Warriors' 108-100 victory, as they held off a tough battle from OKC in the second half. Kevin Durant added 27 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, as the Warriors look to become the first team with a three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers.
Westbrook sat out after undergoing knee surgery in the off-season, and with Carmelo Anthony now with the Houston Rockets, it was Paul George who took over on the floor. PG-13 at 27 points to lead the Thunder, who scored 32 points in the third quarter to make things interesting. They also nearly capitalized on Klay Thompson's struggles, as the other Splash Brother shot just 5-of-20 from the floor for 14 points on the night.
Although, Damian Jones stepped up in his first career start at center for Golden State, recording 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in his 26th career NBA game. After leading by as many as 10 in the second half, the Warriors allowed the Thunder to make nine of their next 12 shots to pull within three points. Golden State would hang on at Oracle Arena, as they will visit Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz on Friday night. The Thunder will stay out west to take on the Los Angeles Clippers that same night.
The Celtics shot just 43 percent from the field, including 30 percent from three-point range, despite getting Kyrie Irving back from injury as well. Marcus Morris stepped up with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Al Horford had nine points and five blocks
in a tough defensive effort.
Boston led by as many as 18 points in this one, as they have now defeated the 76ers 10 straight times at home, and that includes beating them in last season's Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Joel Embiid had 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Ben Simmons had 19 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in the loss for the Sixers. They will move on to their home opener against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, while the Celtics will hit the road to battle Kawhi Leonard's Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors started another NBA Title defense against the Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Steph Curry had 32 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in the Warriors' 108-100 victory, as they held off a tough battle from OKC in the second half. Kevin Durant added 27 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, as the Warriors look to become the first team with a three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers.
Westbrook sat out after undergoing knee surgery in the off-season, and with Carmelo Anthony now with the Houston Rockets, it was Paul George who took over on the floor. PG-13 at 27 points to lead the Thunder, who scored 32 points in the third quarter to make things interesting. They also nearly capitalized on Klay Thompson's struggles, as the other Splash Brother shot just 5-of-20 from the floor for 14 points on the night.
Although, Damian Jones stepped up in his first career start at center for Golden State, recording 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in his 26th career NBA game. After leading by as many as 10 in the second half, the Warriors allowed the Thunder to make nine of their next 12 shots to pull within three points. Golden State would hang on at Oracle Arena, as they will visit Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz on Friday night. The Thunder will stay out west to take on the Los Angeles Clippers that same night.
