By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dwayne Wade scored 22 points in a triumphant Chicago debut, Jimmy Butler had 24 and the Bulls won their season opener, beating the Boston Celtics 105-99 last night.
Spaniard Nikola Mirotic came from the bench and added 15 points and 9 rebounds, despite an bad shooting night with just 1/6 threes. For the Celtics Swedish forward Jonas Jerebko added 4 points.
Tim Hardaway jr scored 21 points and ignited a fourth-quarter outburst that carried new-look Atlanta to a 114-99 victory over the Washington Wizards in the season opener, Swiss Thabo Sefolosha was another key contributor off the bench, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the third quarter while German Dennis Schroder, taking over as the starting point guard after the trade of Jeff Teague, had 14 points but only two assists. For the losing side, Polish center Marcin Gortat had 11 rebounds and 4 points against the 19 rebounds and 11 points by Dwight Howard and Czech Tomas Satoransky had 2 points.
The Spurs got the 102-94 road win in Sacramento behind 30 points by Kawhi Leonard, while Spaniard Pau Gasol had 7 points and 6 rebounds and French Tony Parker 4 points and 2 assists. For the hosts, Greek-American Kostas Koufos had 8 points and 7 rebounds.
Last but not least the Clippers came away with a 114-106 victory at Portland. Chris Paul had 27 points and Blake Griffin also had 27 points and added 13 rebounds for the winners. Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 29 points and 10 rebounds.