NBA: Lakers shoots down Rockets to launch new era

he new-look Los Angeles Lakers, with Kobe Bryant retired and coach Luke Walton at the helm, opened its NBA season with a 120-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Published : Oct 27, 2016 12:46 IST , Los Angeles

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle, right, shoots a s Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday night.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle, right, shoots a s Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday night.
lightbox-info

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle, right, shoots a s Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday night.

The new-look Los Angeles Lakers, with Kobe Bryant retired and coach Luke Walton at the helm, opened its NBA season with a 120-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. D'Angelo Russell scored 20 points and Julius Randle added 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, which overcame James Harden's 34 points and career-high 17 assists for Houston — which lost in former Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni's first game in charge of the Rockets.

"It feels good," said Walton, a former Laker who cut his coaching teeth as an assistant to Steve Kerr at Golden State.

"It feels really good. The guys really fought tonight. A big part of what we're trying to do here is develop this identity, this culture ... learning how to win games is a skill at this level. We did some things that could have cost us the win at the end of the game tonight, so obviously we can learn from that — and that fact that we still got that win feels really good."

Walton admitted to "nerves and excitement" before the contest, but was buoyed by the presence of his father, former NBA star Bill Walton.

"The Walton force will be strong tonight," said the 36-year-old coach, who has been tasked with turning around a Lakers team that plunged to a 21-61 record in 2014-15, only to follow up with a franchise worst 17-65 campaign last season.

Two free throws from Clarkson lifted the Lakers to a 108-104 lead with 6:41 to play. But Harden converted a pair of foul shots with 3:53 left to knot the score at 110.

Two Russell free throws boosted the Lakers to a 113-112 lead with 2:47 remaining and the host wouldn't trail from there.

The Rockets, which led by as many as 10 points, grabbed a 71-63 edge at the half. The players connected on 64.4 percent of their shot6s compared to 53.2 percent for the Lakers before the break.

"I was real proud of the way they accepted the challenge in the second half," Walton said of his young team, "real proud that they stuck with it."

While the Lakers is in rebuilding mode — embarking on its first season since 1995 without superstar Bryant — there was plenty of glamour at Staples Center, where Hollywood stars Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington were among the crowd, as was NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

"We're just going to go out there and fight every night and play the right way," Randle said of the Lakers' expectations. "That's all we can promise — to get better every day and play the right way."

Revamped Heat downs Magic

The Miami Heat, forging ahead after the free agent departure of Dwayne Wade, opened the season with a 108-96 victory over the Magic in Orlando.

The Heat made up for what it lacks in star power with energy, a well-balanced attack and determined defense. Hassan Whiteside scored 18 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked four shots.

"We need Hassan to be great, and he was when we needed him," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He really anchored us defensively and ignited everyone out there."

Six Heat players scored in double figures and six players notched at least six rebounds.

"It's just game one, so it's early, but you're starting to see the foundation we want to build," Spoelstra said. "Guys really have to buy into the concept for this to work. You enjoy when it's being played the correct way out there."

The Oklahoma City Thunder, also adjusting to the departure of a star after Kevin Durant signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors, leaned on Russell Westbrook in a 103-97 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Big nights, mixed results

In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan poured in 40 points to lead the Raptors to a 109-91 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

DeRozan connected on 17 of 27 shots from the field and six of six free throws in what coach Dwane Casey called "one of the most efficient" performances he'd seen from his star.

A monster 50-point game from New Orleans' Anthony Davis couldn't save the New Orleans Pelicans, however, as it fell 107-102 to the Denver Nuggets.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment