The Detroit Pistons beat the Philadelphia 76ers after a true overtime thriller. After a monster performance, Blake Griffin became the hero of the game. The New Orleans Pelicans continue their high flight against the Clippers, while the Nuggets have no problems with the Kings.
What an evening for Blake Griffin! 50 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 20 out of 35 from the field (5/10 three) and only 1 turnover – that’s the impressive statline of the 29-year-old, which he played against the Sixers. And the most important one is still missing.
The Pistons and Sixers played a very balanced game for almost the entire 48 minutes, even though Philly was able to gain some slight advantages thanks to Joel Embiid (33.11 rebounds and 7 assists). But it was never enough to make a difference. In the final minutes of the regular playing time both teams left a good chance, so the overtime had to bring a decision.
At first Griffin and Ish Smith (21, 9/12 FG) brought the landlords with two threes in a row in front (126:120), but the answer of the Sixers was not long in coming. J.J. Redick continued his strong performance also in overtime and kept his team in the game with a few threes, in total the sniper Detroit gave 30 points (plus 6 rebounds, 6 assists – but only 9/21 FG, 6/15 threes).
It was also Redick who brought the guests into the front with a four-point game 5.6 seconds before the end (132:130). But then Griffin was there for his team – once again that evening. The Big Man got the ball at the perimeter, with a fake handoff he made room, pulled to the basket, sunk the layup and additionally got the whistle of the referees – And-One!
Although Griffin weakened the game on the line (5/11 FT), he sank the last free-throw to victory, because a final triple attempt by Embiid only landed on the ring. The hero of the game set a new career record with his 50 points, Detroit started the new season for the first time since the 2015/16 season with three victories – then the pistons made it into the playoffs for the last time.
The Pelicans’ high-flying continues in the third game of the season – but this time New Orleans had to deliver in crunchtime compared to the two blowouts against Houston and the Clippers. After a weak first half, the hosts were still behind (59:62), only with a 21:4 run in the third quarter they seemed to take control.
But the guests from the city of angels did not give in. Led by Tobias Harris with 26 points and 9 rebounds, Danilo Gallinari (24 and 6) and Low Williams (17) the Clippers stayed within striking distance. However, they should not approach closer than 5 points.
A left wing clutch triple from Anthony Davis and another triple from Elfrid Payton, who is not necessarily known for his sniper qualities, about a minute to go, finally put the lid on the third win in the third game of the new season. “For the first time, we had to fight hard in the fourth quarter. And for the first time we handled it really well”, Davis was satisfied.
The Braue scored a total of 34 points and 13 rebounds, in addition Davis brought the Clippers to despair with 5 blocks. With 20 points (plus 6 rebounds and 6 assists) Payton was the second best man in the Pels, Julius Randle, the second newcomer, was also convincing (18 and 5 boards), while Nikola Mirotic did not score a barn goal from a distance (0/6 threes), but still scored 18 points and 12 rebounds.
The Denver Nuggets are starting a new season for the first time since the 2009/10 season with four wins – against the Kings the team around Nikola Jokic had rather few problems, even if the Nuggets allowed more than 100 points of the opponent for the first time in the new season.
At the beginning of the game, however, the home side’s defence was still at its usual high level, allowing Denver to take a 13-point lead at half-time. In the third quarter Jamal Murray turned up the heat. The Guard scored 14 of his 19 points in this section, giving Denver a 26 point lead in the meantime. Then Denver took his foot a little off the gas.
Beside Murray Nikola Jokic showed again a strong performance. The Big Man scored 14 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, Gary Harris also contributed 18 points. Thanks to the clear affair in the third quarter, Nuggets coach Mike Malone set a lot of rotation in the second half, his starters stood 26 minutes highest on the floor (Harris).
Thus the reservists were also allowed to draw attention to themselves, which Trey Lyles (12), Malik Beasley (11) and Monte Morris (11 and 7 Assists) took advantage of. On the other side, rookie Marvin Bagley III was the best scorer with 20 points (9/11 FG, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks). De’Aaron Fox, on the other hand, remained largely pale (6 points, 4 assists, 2/8 FG), which was true for many of his colleagues.