The second half of the 2016/17 season started off with great anticipation on the trade side, but even with no big last-minute moves, the significant players traded earlier this week already made impact last night.
Rockets strike Pelicans
It was not a good start at the New Orleans Pelicans for DeMarcus Cousins as the team lost 129-99 to a newly revamped Houston Rockets. Former Laker Lou Williams had 27 points, Eric Gordon had 19 points and Ryan Anderson finished with 17 points and four rebounds.
The Pelicans were led by Anthony Davis with 29 points and nine rebounds, DeMarcus Cousins had a 27-point, 14-rebound double-double, and Omri Casspi ended the game with 12 points.
Cavs down Knicks
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New York Knicks 119-104. Kyrie Irving had 23 points and six assists, LeBron James had an 18-point, 13-rebound and 15 assist triple-double, while Kyle Korver finished with 20 points.
Courtney Lee led the Knicks with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists, Carmelo Anthony had 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Derrick Rose had 13 points and four assists.
Pistons swat Hornets
The Detroit Pistons beat the Charlotte Hornets 114-108 on the back of Kentavious Coldwell-Pope’s 33 points and nine rebounds, Tobias Harris had 25 points and five rebounds, and Marcus Morris had 16 points and eight rebounds.
All-Star Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Cameroonian-French guard Nicolas Batum had 18 points and six rebounds, and Frank Kaminsky finished with 17 points.
Blazers burn Magic
The Orlando Magic seem to be missing Serge Ibaka as they were beaten 103-112 at home by the Portland Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard had 33 points and five rebounds, CJ McCollum had 22 points and six assists, and Jusuf Nurkic finished with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
The Magic were led by Nikola Vucevic with 25 points and nine rebounds, Algerian-French guard Evan Fournier had 20 points and five rebounds, Terrence Ross had 13 points and five rebounds, and Congolese center Bismack Biyombo ended the game with two points and five rebounds.
Kings conquer Nuggets
The Sacramento Kings seemed to make do without DeMarcus Cousins and defeated the Denver Nuggets 116-100. Willie Cauley Stein had a 29-point, 10-rebound double-double, Buddy Hield had 16 points and six rebounds, while Darren Collison finished with a 15-point, 10-assist double-double.
Gary Harris led the Nuggets with 23 points, Wilson Chandler had an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Danilo Gallinari ended the game with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Warriors thump Clippers
The Golden State Warriors beat the LA Clippers 123-113. Stephen Curry had 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals, Kevin Durant had a 25-point, 15-rebound double-double and Klay Thompson finished with 18 points and four assists.
The Clippers were led by Jamal Crawford with 19 points and four assists, Austin Rivers also had 19 points, and DeAndre Jordan ended the game with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double.
By Kaunda Chama
