Wolves Edge Lakers 112-111 in First Game Since Flip’s Death

Celtics 112, 76ers 95: Isaiah Thomas had 27 points and seven assists, and host Boston defeated Philadelphia in the season opener for each team. His 37-year-old body is ready to take it easy for a while, but Bryant won’t let it. And so we have one of the NBA’s greatest players stubbornly pounding up the court heaving shots in defiance of all available options and nature.

Bryant has been injured in each of the past three seasons, and all of them have been serious. “I’ve always dreamed about being with one organization, and being with this organization as a kid”.

The front court did a little better.

Richard Jefferson had 14 points for Cleveland, which capitalized on Memphis’ shooting woes, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and extending the margin to 32 in the fourth. The big man finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, according Elias Sports Bureau, via ESPN, our boy Kobe “is the only player in any of the four major North American sports leagues to play 20 or more seasons all for a team based in L.A”. A late flurry made it interesting, with Lou Williams making a three-point basket with 31.6 seconds left to close the Lakers to within a point. Brandon Bass is becoming a concern, however. Both teams resume play Friday. Garnett, who was persuaded to return to Minnesota by Saunders last season, left the locker room without speaking to reporters. Scott should have benched him instead of allowing him to do whatever he wants.

Besides a few “rookie” plays throughout the course of the game, Towns played well in his debut outing. It was a home game, a fresh start with a completely revamped roster, and they were playing the only team in the Western Conference which is projected to finish with a worse record.

The 37-year-old came out firing in his first game since January, scoring 15 points in 15 minutes in the first half against the Timberwolves.

Point guard Ricky Rubio scored a career-high 28 points and handed out 14 assists as the Wolves held on for an emotional 112-111 season-opening victory over the Lakers at Staples Center.

Per usual, he was unable to make any adjustments or motivate his team to play with more energy.

Damian Lillard, Portland’s only remaining starter from last season, had 21 points and 11 assists. Still, they managed to cut the deficit to one point with 17 seconds and the ball in their hands. “We got a good shot”, Bryant said.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund. They say the fund will be “solely devoted to aiding and supporting deserving individuals or groups and continue the positive impact of the life of coach Flip Saunders”.