AccuScore will be simulating the delayed/cancelled NBA season as it was originally scheduled.
The first full night of NBA games was supposed to be a true showcase with Miami taking on New York in Madison Square Garden, top pick Kyrie Irving going against the Celtics, and Derrick Rose taking on Chris Paul.
Orlando Magic 80, Charlotte Bobcats 84
The Magic might be in for a long year if they have more nights like this. Orlando scored only 80 points in losing its home opener to lowly Charlotte. The Bobcats had five players score between 10 or 11 points and held the Magic to just 39 percent shooting. Dwight Howard had 22 and 12 in the loss, but allowed rookie Bismack Biyombo to get 10 and 8 in his debut.
Toronto Raptors 107, Philadelphia 76ers 105
In a game that went down to the wire, Toronto pulled out a win behind a balanced attack led by Andrea Bargnani. Bargs had 24 points, but shot just 37.5 percent from the field. Luckily the rest of the Raptors shot 51.7 percent from the field to make up for it. The Sixers got a huge night from Andre Iguodala. The wing nearly had a triple-double with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Washington Wizards 100, New Jersey Nets 112
John Wall had himself an opening night notching a triple-double. He had 27 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals but it still resulted in a loss to New Jersey. The Nets shot 52 percent from the field and hit 9 threes to pull out a 12 point win. Six Nets scored in double-figures led by Deron Williams’ 24 points and 10 assists.
Boston Celtics 86, Cleveland Cavaliers 82
Top pick Kyrie Irving got to make his NBA debut against one of the premier point guards in the league in Rajon Rondo. Irving had 11 points and 5 assists, but turned the ball over 5 times. Rondo only scored 7 points with 7 assists, but led his team to a win. Jeff Green and Jermaine O’Nela were the story for Boston combining for 34 points and 11 rebounds while Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett scored only 19 points.
Detroit Pistons 107, Indiana Pacers 105
The Pistons had a one night flashback to their last championship winning with six players scoring in double figures led by Rip Hamilton’s 18. Indiana got 32 points and 7 rebounds from Danny Granger, but a crowded backcourt mix might lead to problems down the road. The Pacers have to somehow find minutes for Darren Collison, George Hill, and A.J. Price.
Minnesota Timberwolves 106, Atlanta Hawks 101
Minnesota’s superior depth won out over Atlanta’s star power. Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson combined for 35 points while Kevin Love naturally got a double-double with 16 and 12. Rookie Derrick Williams had a solid debut with 8 points and 6 rebounds. The Hawks had only seven players score with Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Joe Johnson, and Al Horford combining for 87 points.
New Orleans Hornets 105, Chicago Bulls 95
In perhaps the best match-up of point guards in the NBA, Chris Paul came out on top with 30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and most importantly a win. Derrick Rose had a monster night with 36 points, 4 rebounds, and 16 assists, but his undoing was a whopping 10 turnovers. Only two other Bulls scored in double figures while the Hornets had four players chip in between 12 and 17 points. Jarrett Jack was particularly good off the bench with 14 points and 8 assists. The Bulls have started the year 0-2.
New York Knicks 109, Miami Heat 119
In the marquee match-up of the night, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris bosh prevailed over Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony in the Garden. The match-up played out as most would expect with LeBron scoring 42 points with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Wade and Bosh would combine for 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 9 more assists. Stoudemire and Anthony came through for the Knicks with 58 points and 25 rebounds, but just didn’t have enough to overcome Miami’s third option.
San Antonio Spurs 112, Milwaukee Bucks 98
The Spurs will do what the Spurs do as long as Tim Duncan remains on the team, and this season shouldn’t be any different. Duncan scored 15 poitns with 9 rebounds and 3 blocks to lead San Antonio to a solid win in the home opener. The Spurs were actually led by Richard Jefferson’s 24 points and 5 rebounds. Rookie Kawhi Leonard would impress with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Brandon Jennings would team up with newcomer Stephen Jackson to score 48 points, but only Andrew Bogut would also score in double-figures for offensively challenged Milwaukee.
Phoenix Suns 110, Oklahoma City Thunder 105
The Thunder start the year with losses on both ends of a back-to-back. Oklahoma City lost despite 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks from Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook scored 22 with 9 rebounds and 7 assists, but shot just 5-20 from the field. Phoenix was able to win by outshooting OKC with nearly twice as many assists, fewer turnovers, and five more three-pointers.
Sacramento Kings 107, Houston Rockets 110
The Kings look like they will be an entertaining bunch some nights, and a complete mess on others. This night was one of the entertaining ones that will still result in a loss. Sacramento had seven players score in double figures led by DeMarcus Cousins and Marcus Thornton both scoring 20+. Jimmer Fredette was a non-factor. Kevin Martin led a balanced attack for Houston with 20 points. Rookie Marcus Morris had a nice night with 13 points and 3 rebounds. The Rockets begin the year 2-0.
Golden State Warriors 112, Los Angeles Lakers 125
The Lakers did not feel the effects of the back-to-back scoring winning for the second night in a row. This is easily the highest scoring game of the young season. Both Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol notched double-doubles. Bryant scored 40 with 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Gasol had 27 points with 10 rebounds and 4 assists shooting 75 percent from the field. Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom helped punish the smaller Warriors inside combining for another 29 points and 11 rebounds. Golden State actually outrebounded the Lakers but that was more a result of fewer opportunities. The Warriors allowed the Lakers to shoot 55.7 percent from the field. Monta Ellis scored 25 points to lead Golden State while David Lee had 17 and 10.
Los Angeles Clippers 108, Memphis Grizzlies 89
The Grizzlies were the surprise team in the West last year, but they start off the year with a loss to the up-and-coming Clippers. Blake Griffin and Mo Williams combined for 51 points with both shooting over 50 percent from the field. Griffin even added a three-poitner. Gay scored 23 points in his first game since returning from injury.
