Scorching Steph goes off amid epic play; Dame struggles as Bucks blown out – Wrap

A scorching-hot Steph Curry scored 12 of his 24 factors within the ultimate time period to see the Golden State Warriors down the Houston Rockets 106-95 on Monday (all instances AEDT).

After the Rockets led 87-85 halfway by means of the fourth, Golden State went on a 15-2 run – together with 12 to Curry by the way in which of four-straight triples to place the guests up double figures.

Before the Warriors sharpshooter’s fourth triple, Curry crossed over Dillon Brooks then pump faked him in one of many performs of the sport to cap off game-winning his heater.

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Curry’s response was priceless, hitting Houston with a stunned celebration to set social media alight.

Curry completed with a game-high 24 factors, seven rebounds, six assists and 6 triples in a recreation Chris Paul (eight factors, seven assists) got here off the bench for the primary time in his profession after Draymond Green returned to the beginning lineup in his return from harm.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 21 factors and 9 assists, whereas Alperen Sengun had 19 factors and 7 assists.

With it, Golden State improved to 2-1 and received its Eleventh-straight recreation over Houston, who had its house opener spoiled to stay winless on the season at 0-3.

BUCKS SMASHED BY HAWKS AS DAME STRUGGLES

The Milwaukee Bucks have come crashing again right down to earth in a lopsided 127-110 defeat to the beforehand winless Atlanta Hawks as Damian Lillard fell away badly from his debut for his new aspect.

There was at all times going to be some rising pains for Lillard and the new-look Bucks, however this was grim.

Lillard completed with solely six factors on 2-of-12 taking pictures – together with not scoring his first bucket till there was three minutes remaining within the third time period – and dedicated six turnovers in a forgettable outing.

If not for hitting a three-pointer in rubbish time that took him to 6 factors, Lillard may’ve had his lowest ever scoring efficiency, scoring 4 factors on three events.

It got here after the celebrity guard went off for 39 factors in his first recreation for the Bucks in a win over Philadelphia final week as Adrian Griffin aspect’s offence was firing on all cylinders, however it couldn’t have been a extra totally different story on Monday.

The Hawks powered forward by 20-plus factors after dominating the second time period 37-22. Despite having two of the most effective gamers on the earth, the Bucks’ response within the second half by no means got here.

Atlanta went up by as a lot as 23 at one stage in the course of the third and by no means appeared like letting Milwaukee again within the recreation, with Trae Young hitting two threes early within the fourth to fairly effectively shut the door on their Eastern Conference rivals.

Griffin performed Giannis Antentoukoumpo all through the ultimate quarter and briefly introduced Lillard again into the sport regardless of his aspect’s heavy deficit, however it grew to become clear the Bucks weren’t going to get again into this one as each coaches pulled their starter with 5 minutes left on the clock.

Young’s 20 factors led eight Hawks gamers in double figures, with Quin Snyder’s squad determined to get its first win of the season and enhance to 1-2, whereas Milwaukee fell to 1-1.

Antentoukoumpo posted 26 factors and 11 rebounds for the guests, who had been with out Khris Middleton resulting from harm administration.

THUNDER REALITY CHECK AS NUGS STAY UNDEFEATED

The Denver Nuggets are the NBA’s reigning champions for a cause and proved it on Monday morning, outclassing the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-95.

The Thunder, who had been beforehand undefeated on the again of wins over the Bulls and Cavaliers, had been led by 31 and 34-point efforts from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in these video games.

On Monday, nonetheless, the Nuggets did effectively to disrupt Gilgeous-Alexander and restrict the OKC celebrity to only seven factors after an off taking pictures night time for the 25-year-old.

Gilgeous-Alexander was simply 2-of-16 from the ground and his seven-point whole tied his lowest-ever outing for the Thunder.

“They’re defending champs, and they’re not that by fluke,” the Canadian stated post-game.

“They play the right way on both ends of the floor and they are a really good basketball team. They came to play tonight. We weren’t good enough to compete against them.”

Australian Josh Giddey didn’t fare a lot better, taking pictures 4-of-13 from the ground to complete with 9 factors to go along with three assists, two rebounds and a steal.

Chet Holmgren led the way in which for OKC with a team-high 19 factors whereas 19-year-old rookie Cason Wallace continues to impress along with his 3-point taking pictures and general maturity on the ground.

Wallace had seven factors, three rebounds, one help, one steal and one block in 22 minutes off the bench and provides to what’s a promising younger core at Oklahoma City.

As for the defending champions, the large three of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. mixed for 67 factors.

Jokic stuffed the stat sheet with 28 factors, 14 rebounds and 5 assists whereas Porter Jr. made 4 3-pointers within the win.

What would have been notably pleasing for coach Michael Malone although was the manufacturing from Christian Braun (13 factors, seven rebounds, seven assists) and Peyton Watson (17 factors, 4 rebounds, one steal, one block) off the bench.

The bench was the largest query mark for Denver heading into the brand new season following the departures of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green in free company.

While nonetheless a younger group, the second unit has impressed within the early phases of the season and may solely develop in confidence.

Watson’s defence was at all times going to be his greatest energy however the second-year ahead flashed his monumental potential on the offensive finish on Monday too.

“I love the way Peyton is playing,” Malone stated.

“He’s playing very aggressive and confident on offense. He’s being disruptive on defence and he’s helping us in a lot of different areas.”

Speaking of defence, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was singled out by coach Malone post-game for his efforts in serving to shut down Gilgeous-Alexander.

“You’ve got to credit guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who I think is an all-NBA defender,” Malone stated.

“You know, we asked him to guard the best players [in] 82 regular season games and 20 playoff games last year and he’s totally committed to that. He understands that that’s his greatest gift to this basketball team.”

ALL CURRENT RESULTS

NUGGETS 128 THUNDER 95

HAWKS 127 HAWKS 110

WARRIORS 106 ROCKETS 95

TRAIL BLAZERS 98 76ERS 126

LAKERS 127 KINGS 132

SPURS 83 CLIPPERS 123