By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Marc Gasol and the Toronto Raptors began the 2019-2020 campaign and their effort to defend their NBA championship title by beating the New Orleans Pelicans 130 – 122 at home in the season’s opening night.
Gasol played for 32 minutes during which he scored six points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out an assist. He had some shooting struggles, finishing with 2/9 from the field (1/4 3-pointers).
New Orleans Pelicans forward and Fenerbahce Beko player Nicolo Melli had a quite solid NBA debut, posting 14 points (4/5 triples) and five rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. The Pelicans were +11 with him on the floor.
Paskal Siakam dominated for the Raptors with 34 points, 18 rebounds and five assists while Fred VanVleet added 34 points, seven assists and five boards. Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans in scoring with 22 points while adding five rebounds and five assists.
In Los Angeles, Ivica Zubac was a starter for the Clippers in their 112 – 102 win over the Lakers. The Croatian center had eight points on perfect 4/4 shooting in 10 minutes.
Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 30 points while notching six rebounds and five assists. For the Lakers, Danny Green had 28 points plus seven rebounds and Anthony Davis 25 points, 10 rebounds plus five assists. Lebron James flirted with the triple-double (18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists).