Jeremy Lin struggled, but the Brooklyn Nets still managed to score a 115-107 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday at the Madison Square Garden. It was the first meeting between the crosstown rivals this season.
Playing alongside new backcourt partner D’Angelo Russell, Lin posted just eight points and three assists in 21 minutes. The former Harvard University standout shot just 2-for-9 from the field and committed three turnovers.
Good thing for the Nets, Russell had a solid debut for his new team, finishing with 19 points and four assists. The 21-year-old guard, who was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, also tallied two rebounds, one steal and one block for the new-look Nets.
Sean Kilpatrick provided a huge boost from the bench with 15 points and four boards, while Joe Harris and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 13 points apiece. Quincy Acy and Spencer Dinwiddie posted 12 points each, while DeMarre Carroll racked up 10 points and eight boards in his Nets debut.
On the other hand, newcomers Enes Kanter and Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Knicks with 17 points each. Kristaps Porzingis, the new face of the franchise after the Knicks traded Carmelo Anthony, scored 15 points to go along with five rebounds and two blocks in a losing effort.
Carmelo Anthony losses in Oklahoma City Thunder debut
Meanwhile, former Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony had a solid debut for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, it was not enough as the Thunder took a 104-97 loss to the Houston Rockets at the BOK Center in Tulsa.
Anthony finished with 19 points and four rebounds in 20 minutes. The superstar forward, who was traded to the Thunder late last month, shot 7-for-13 from the floor, including a 3-for-5 clip from beyond the arc.
The Thunder played without reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook.
Paul George, who is also a newcomer in Oklahoma City, scored 15 points and grabbed five boards for the Thunder.
The Rockets leaned on their new backcourt duo of Chris Paul and James Harden. Harden ended up with 16 points and 10 assists on top of five rebounds and two steals, while Paul racked up 11 points, seven assists, two rebounds and two steals.
Chicago Bulls top New Orleans Hornets in Preseason Opener
The Chicago Bulls aren’t expected to compete for the title in the upcoming season, but they showed promise on Tuesday. The Bulls leaned on a balanced attack to escape with a 113-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Cristiano Felicio led the Bulls with 15 points, while Justin Holiday and Nikola Mirotic added 14 points each, with the latter grabbing nine boards. The Bulls will look to keep their momentum when they travel to Texas to face the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night.