NBA -- 2018-19 season opens with a bang. Celtics, Warriors flex muscles
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Oct 2018
CHICAGO -- Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, both returning from injuries, had a jittery start to the 2018-19 campaign but the Boston Celtic used the might of their defense and the depth of their bench the beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 105-87, on Tuesday night at the TD Boston Garden.
Jason Tatum, an emerging star for the guys in green, tallied 23 points and nine rebounds to offset the sub-par perfornances of Hayward and Irving who combined for just 17 points. The All-Star pair missed a combined 19 field goals.
Marcus Morris was huge for Boston with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Terry Rozier came off the bench with 11 and eight assists. Al Horford added nine points with four rebounds and five blocks,
As expected the twin towers of Joel Embidd and Ben Simmons led the sixers. Embiid registered 23 points and 10 rebounds while Simmons had 19 points, 15 boards and eight dimes. But Philli got little else beyond the 16 points from J.J. Redick.
In the second game of an Opening Night double-header, the defending champion Golden State Warriors disposed the OKC Thunder, 108-100, to open their three-peat bid on a high note.
Steph Curry and Kevin Durant combined for 59 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists while Paul George led OKC with 27.
Jason Tatum was the main man for the Celtics, who routed the Sixers, 105-87, on Opening Night.
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