Basketball Lovers Unite: October 2014

Marc Gasol led all scorers with 32 points as Memphis beat Minnesota 105-101. Andrew Wiggins scored six points in his season debut for the Timberwolves.

Tags: NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Andrew Wiggins, Marc Gasol

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Grizzlies are 1-0 for the first time in a long, long time. In fact, all the way back to the team's days in Vancouver.
Marc Gasol scored a career-high 32 points, and the Grizzlies beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-101 on Wednesday night for the franchise's first victory in a season opener since 2000, the year before the team moved to Memphis.
"We didn't talk about it as in like `We need this,' but moreso like `Man, can you believe we haven't won since they've been here?" said point guard Mike Conley, who scored 16 points. "It's an unbelievable thought."
Zach Randolph added 25 points and 13 rebounds for Memphis, which had dropped its last 13 openers. Gasol also had nine rebounds, and Courtney Lee finished with 14 points.
"That was a good game to start the season," Memphis coach Dave Joerger said. "We made some mistakes, but we fought and we fought and we fought."
Gasol and Randolph helped Memphis outscore Minnesota 58-34 in the paint, but the Timberwolves outrebounded the Grizzlies 47-33 in their first game since they traded star forward Kevin Love to Cleveland in the offseason. Minnesota's total included 19 offensive boards.
Thaddeus Young had 26 points in his first game with the Timberwolves, going 10 for 18 from the field. Mo Williams scored 18 points and Shabazz Muhammad finished with 13.
Ricky Rubio had 12 points and seven assists, but also committed seven of Minnesota's 23 turnovers.
"We have to take care of the ball, especially me," Rubio said. "I got maybe too crazy at the end of the third quarter."
The Timberwolves used a 9-0 run to take an 87-85 lead in the fourth quarter. Anthony Bennett scored five points and Muhammad had four in the spurt.
The game was close for the next couple minutes before Memphis created some space. Gasol made a 21-footer for a 101-96 lead with 1:23 left.
In the midst of that key stretch late in the game, there was an out of bounds call in front of the Minnesota bench with 2:20 left that went Memphis' way -- a decision with which the Timberwolves heartily disagreed.
"I thought for sure that was off of (Randolph)," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "That was kind of a momentum change because we had the game momentum."
The Timberwolves still were within one possession when Vince Carter, signed by Memphis in the offseason, converted two free throws for a 105-101 lead with 7.3 seconds to go.
"If I can't make the shots, I might as well make the free throws that count," said Carter, who missed six of his seven shot from the field.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: Memphis extended its regular-season home winning streak to 15. ... Rapper Yo Gotti led the Grizzlies starters in for the introductions. ... Gasol's previous career high was 30 points against the Sixers in 2009.
Timberwolves: Andrew Wiggins, the No. 1 overall selection in this year's draft, got the start in his NBA debut after Kevin Martin was sidelined by an ankle injury. Wiggins scored six points in just under 19 minutes. "I was nervous, but not crazy nervous," Wiggins said. "I calmed down after the tip." ... With Wiggins and 2013 top pick Bennett, the Timberwolves became the first team in almost 30 years to open the season with the top picks from the previous two drafts. The last time was the 1984-85 season when the Houston Rockets had Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. ... The game marked the first time in 14 seasons Minnesota opened the season away from the Target Center.
LOOK WHO'S HERE
Grizzlies controlling owner Robert Pera, who has made few appearances at games since buying the team two years ago, was on hand for the opener.
INJURY REPORT
Timberwolves reserve center Gorgui Dieng injured his right thumb in the second quarter. X-rays were negative, and he returned in the second half with the thumb taped. ... In addition to Martin sitting, Ronny Turiaf missed the game with right hip soreness.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: At Indiana on Friday.
Timberwolves: Home opener Thursday against Detroit Pistons.

DeRozan scores 15 points, Raptors heat Hawks

Final

Regular Season Series (Game 1 of 4)

Hawks 102

(0-1, 0-1 away)

Raptors 109

(1-0, 1-0 home)

7:30 PM ET, October 29,2014
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON

	1	2	3	4	T
ATL	22	30	19	31	102
TOR	24	36	26	23	109

Top Performers

Atl: J. Teague 20 Pts, 3 Reb, 8 Ast, 3 Stl
Tor: A. Johnson 16 Pts, 10 Reb, 2 Ast, 4 Blk

Associated Press

Balanced Scoring Leads Raptors

Toronto had seven players score in double figures as the Raptors beat the Hawks 109-102.

Tags: NBA, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors

TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry both struggled with their shooting, but it didn't matter. Toronto's two top stars found other ways to contribute, and the rest of the roster added plenty of punch in the Raptors' season-opening victory.
DeRozan had 15 points and set career-highs with 11 rebounds and six steals, Lowry added 11 points and 10 assists, and the Raptors opened their defense of the Atlantic Division title with a 109-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
DeRozan made four of his 16 field goal attempts, while Lowry was 3 of 11.
"If we're not making shots, we've all got to figure out other ways we can impact the game," said DeRozan, who collected his fourth career double-double.
Amir Johnson had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Jonas Valanciunas scored 17 points, and Terrence Ross had 13 for the Raptors, who were an NBA-best 7-1 in the preseason.
Seven Toronto players reached double figures in scoring, including all five starters.
"We're a team, we're a complete team," Lowry said. "Me and DeMar, we didn't play as well offensively but we did other things to try to help the team win."
Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague and Mike Scott each scored 20 points for the Hawks, and Paul Millsap had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Atlanta's Al Horford, limited to 29 games last season by a torn right pectoral muscle, had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
"We didn't play good enough to win this game," Horford said.
Horford connected on six of his 15 attempts, and his baseline jumper at 10:06 of the fourth was the 2,500th field goal of his career.
"It's great to have Al back," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "Particularly in the second half, he had a big impact. I think he's going to continue to improve and get more comfortable offensively."
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Scott and DeMarre Carroll capped a 10-1 run to bring Atlanta within eight, 102-94, with 2:30 left in the fourth, and another 3 by Scott at 1:26 made it 103-99.
Lowry made a pair of free throws, but Patrick Patterson was called for goaltending on Carroll's shot, keeping the margin at four points.
DeRozan was fouled and missed both shots, but was fouled again as he grabbed his own rebound on the second. Given another chance, DeRozan made both to put Toronto up 107-101 with 32 seconds left. After Teague made one of two from the line, Patterson sealed Toronto's win with a fast break dunk.
"We've got to do a better job of keeping our foot on the pedal at the end of the game," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.
Toronto finished 27 for 33 at the free throw line, while Atlanta went nine for 17.
FOUL PLAY
Toronto was called for 23 fouls per game last season, tied with Denver for most in the NBA. The Raptors committed six fouls in the first 6:32 of the opening quarter, but didn't get called for another before the end of the first. They finished with 22.
DOMINQUE'S DEBUT
Wednesday marked 32 years since Hall of Fame forward and nine-time NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins made his Atlanta debut as the Hawks lost 94-86 to Detroit.
TIP INS
Raptors: Toronto's first five field goals were each scored by a different member of the starting lineup. ... Casey is just the second coach in Toronto history to lead the team into four opening night games. The other was Sam Mitchell, who did it five times from 2004 to 2008. ... In their 20-year history, the Raptors have never had the same opening night starting lineup twice. ... C Greg Stiemsma (sprained right ankle) was inactive. He was replaced by Lucas Nogueira. ... F Bruno Caboclo, Toronto's first-round pick, was inactive.
Hawks: Korver finished six for seven from 3-point range. ... Before the game, Casey praised Atlanta for being an "unsung" contender in the Eastern Conference. "Nobody is talking about how good and solid a team they've put together," Casey said. ... Atlanta made 19 turnovers, leading to 23 Toronto points.
UP NEXT
Toronto heads south to Florida this weekend, visiting Orlando on Saturday night and Miami on Sunday night.
Atlanta hosts Indiana in its home opener Saturday night.

Next 5 Games

Atlanta	Toronto
11/01 IND 7:30pm 11/05 @SA 8:30pm 11/07 @CHA 7:00pm 11/08 NY 7:30pm 11/10 @NY 7:30pm	11/01 @ORL 7:00pm 11/02 @MIA 6:00pm 11/04 OKC 7:30pm 11/05 @BOS 7:30pm 11/07 WSH 7:30pm

Chris Bosh helps Heat down Wizards to start post-LeBron James era

Final

Regular Season Series (Game 1 of 4)

Wizards 95

(0-1, 0-1 away)

Heat 107

(1-0, 1-0 home)

7:30 PM ET, October 29,2014
AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL

	1	2	3	4	T
WSH	28	24	18	25	95
MIA	22	31	19	35	107

Top Performers

WSH: P. Pierce 17 Pts, 6 Reb, 5 Ast, 2 Stl
Mia: C. Bosh 26 Pts, 15 Reb, 4 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk

Associated Press

Heat Open Season With Win

Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade combined to score 47 points in the Heat's 107-95 win over the Wizards.

Tags: NBA, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Luol Deng, Chris Bosh, John Wall, James Ennis

MIAMI -- Chris Bosh had 26 points and 15 rebounds, Norris Cole scored a career-high 23 points after winning Miami's starting point-guard job, and the Heat opened the post-LeBron James era with a 107-95 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Dwyane Wade added 21 points for Miami, 12 of those down the stretch after he briefly departed with a leg injury. Luol Deng, part of the class assembled this summer after James departed, scored 12.
Marcin Gortat and Drew Gooden led the Wizards with 18 points apiece. Paul Pierce added 17 in his Washington debut, and John Wall finished with 16 points and 11 assists.
The Heat led by nine with about 9 minutes left, helped in part by a spectacular three-point play by rookie James Ennis -- who took off from about midway down the paint, elevated over Rasual Butler and threw down a dunk while getting fouled. A layup by fellow rookie Shabazz Napier made it 84-75, before the Wizards came right back.
Washington peeled off eight straight points, with Otto Porter making a pair of jumpers that helped get the Wizards within one.
But Cole and Mario Chalmers made 3-pointers about two minutes apart to help Miami restore a seven-point edge late.
It wasn't just James that the Heat were missing from last year's Game 1 rotation. Shane Battier has retired, Ray Allen hasn't decided if he will continue his career and both of those players scored in double digits in the 2013 ring-night matchup against Chicago.
Bosh came into the year knowing he would be getting more offensive looks than in his first four Miami seasons, and delivered. He averaged 16.2 points last season; he had 16 by the midpoint of the second quarter on Wednesday.
Wade left with 2:49 remaining in the third quarter, appearing to be dealing with an injury to his left calf. He got tangled up with Pierce and Garrett Temple while on the floor for a loose ball, didn't even jump to contest the ensuing jump ball -- which Miami somehow controlled anyway -- and immediately signaled for a time out before limping slowly toward the locker room.
He returned with 5:59 left in the fourth.
TIP-INS
Wizards: PF Kris Humphries (hand surgery) played after being listed as a game-time decision, while SG Glen Rice Jr. (right ankle) did not play. ... The Wizards were also without SG Bradley Beal (wrist), along with forwards Nene and DeJuan Blair (both serving one-game suspensions related to a preseason incident against Chicago). ... The Wizards' most recent opening-night win was in 2009.
Heat: Wade made his 11th opening-night start, extending his franchise record. ... It was the 11th straight home-opening sellout for the Heat. ... F Danny Granger (sore hamstring) was scratched. ... PF Udonis Haslem addressed the home crowd moments before tip-off, in particular thanking those who have been longtime fans. ... Cole started, as expected, at point guard. Chalmers had that role five times in the last six Miami opening nights.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Washington visits Orlando on Thursday.
Heat: Miami visits Philadelphia on Saturday.

Kemba Walker's late heroics lift Hornets over Bucks in OT

Final / OT

Regular Season Series (Game 1 of 3)

Bucks 106

(0-1, 0-1 away)

Hornets 108

(1-0, 1-0 home)

7:00 PM ET, October 29,2014
Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC

	1	2	3	4	OT	T
MIL	24	33	26	17	6	106
CHA	25	21	22	32	8	108

Top Performers

Mil: B. Knight 22 Pts, 8 Reb, 13 Ast, 1 Blk
Cha: M. Kidd-Gilchrist 17 Pts, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Blk

Davis Dominates In Pelicans' Win

Anthony Davis scored 26 points with 17 rebounds and nine blocks in New Orleans' 101-84 win over the Magic.

Tags: NBA, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Davis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kemba Walker didn't waste any time at all providing the Charlotte Hornets with a return on their investment.
One night after agreeing to a four-year, $24 million contract extension, the diminutive guard knocked down two huge shots, including the 21-footer from the top of the key with 5 seconds left in overtime to lift Charlotte to a 108-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
Walker scored a game-high 26 points and gave fans more reason to celebrate on a night when they welcomed the Hornets name back to the city after a 12-year absence.

More from ESPN.com

Fresh off signing a contract extension, a sleep-deprived Kemba Walker played the hero -- twice -- for the Hornets, writes Michael Wallace. Story

Walker struggled in the early going hitting just 2 of 8 shots in the first quarter and was just 9 of 26 for the game.
But he came up big when the team needed him most, swishing a tying 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime and help the Hornets erased a 24-point third-quarter deficit and cap the largest comeback in Charlotte's NBA history -- Hornets or Bobcats.
"I was so high on adrenaline that I couldn't calm down," Walker said of his slow start. "I was so anxious to be out there and the crowd was so into it. I was trying my best but it just wasn't working out for me. Those last couple of shots I finally really did relax."
Walker battled through cramps in his right foot, but kept on playing.
"He's courageous," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "I asked him if he was good and he said, `I'll make one more play.' And he did."
Marvin Williams had 19 points, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 17 and Al Jefferson finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte.
Lance Stephenson had seven points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in his Hornets debut and provided a boost after the Hornets fell behind 74-50 and the crowd starting booing.
"I would have booed, too," Walker said. "I know it was tough to watch for those guys. We weren't playing any defense and lot of things weren't going our way."
The Bucks were led by Brandon Knight, who had 22 points and 13 assists.
Khris Middleton had a chance to put the Bucks up by four points with 7.1 second left, but made only 1 of 2 foul shots setting up Walker's big 3.
After Middleton made his second free throw, Walker took the inbounds pass, weaved through traffic and pulled up well beyond the 3-point arc. He elevated through his shot as fans in the lower section rose from their seats in unison, almost willing the ball into the basket.
The Bucks couldn't get a shot off at the end of regulation.
"Bad teams lose these types of games and this is something we are going to have to get over all year," said Bucks forward Jared Dudley.
STEPHENSON'S NIGHT:
Stephenson got off to a rough start missing his first six shots and failing to score until the 5:49 mark of the third quarter. But a high-flying dunk over Larry Sanders in the lane seemed to ignite the flamboyant swingman, who quickly helped the Hornets trim the lead to 15 entering the fourth quarter. Stephenson, who is battling a groin injury, left the game twice in the final few minutes because of cramping in his leg.
"If I ain't scoring I'm going to do other things," Stephenson said. "I'm going to pass to my teammates, rebound, play a little defense and just help us win. I struggled on the offensive end and I'm going to get it together and just keep playing hard."
PARKER's NBA DEBUT:
The Bucks finished with the worst record in the league last year and wound up drafting Jabari Parker from Duke with the No. 2 overall pick. Parker finished with eight points in his first NBA game.
"It was everything I expected, two great teams going down to the wire," Parker said. "The better team won today but we're going to get better."
TAYLOR PLEADS GUILTY
Hornets forward Jeffery Taylor pleaded guilty Wednesday to a domestic violence charge and admitted he pushed his girlfriend at a hotel in Michigan. Taylor pleaded guilty in East Lansing District Court to domestic abuse and malicious destruction of property charges. He faces up to 93 days in jail, but prosecutors say they won't oppose a diversion program that could clear Taylor's record if he complies with probation rules.
TIP-INS
Bucks: O.J. Mayo was strong off the bench for the Bucks with 17 points on 6 of 10 shooting. ... The Bucks lost despite shooting 48.8 percent to Charlotte's 40.6 percent.
Hornets: Hornets general manager Rich Cho announced before the game the team has exercised its fourth-year option on forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and its third-year option on forward Cody Zeller. ... The Hornets introduced their alternate teal uniforms in front of a sold-out crowd.
UP NEXT
Milwaukee hosts Philadelphia on Friday.
Charlotte hosts Memphis on Saturday.