San Antonio’s Tony Parker lays it up as Golden State’s Kevin Durant looks on. (AP)
The San Antonio Spurs crushed the loaded Golden State Warriors, 129-100, in the opening day of the NBA season Tuesday night in Oakland, California (Wednesday morning Philippine time).
In other games, the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers opened their title-retention bid on a high note, defeating the New York Knicks, 117-88, while the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz, 113-104.
Kevin Durant had 27 points in his first regular season game with the
hyped up Warriors while Stephen Curry added 26 but last year’s runners up were outscored in all four quarters leading to the ugly loss.
The Spurs were led by Kawhi Leonard’s career-high 35 points on 10-of-21 shooting (15-of-15 from the free-throw line). LaMarcus Aldridge added 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting for the Spurs, who played without the retired Tim Duncan for the first time.