Antoine Wright has learned to deal with rejection very well. Told by the New Jersey Nets last week that they won’t be picking up the option on his contract next year, Wright started his walk year by making a statement. Wright scored 14 of his career-high 21 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the Nets to a 112-103 victory over the distracted Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
When Chris Paul reported for training camp, he declared that the Hornets had all the tools in place to make their full-time return to New Orleans a special one. On opening night, at least, they were as good as advertised. Paul had 22 points and 12 assists, while Peja Stojakovic showed some of his All-Star form of old with 19 points to help the Hornets beat the Sacramento Kings 104-90 on Wednesday…
They raised a championship banner. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers then collapsed. Jason Terry made six 3-pointers and scored 24 points, Dirk Nowitzki added 15 and the Dallas Mavericks, whose NBA title pursuit last season ended with a stunning first-round exit against Golden State, opened 2007-08 with a 92-74 victory over the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Rashard Lewis came out decidedly on top in a matchup of two frontcourt debuts. Yi Jianlian proved he could be dangerous with a little more experience. Lewis, the former Seattle All-Star who landed a $118 million offseason payday, scored 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting Wednesday night to help the Orlando Magic beat the Milwaukee Bucks 102-83.
Jamaal Tinsley flashed his old form for his new coach. Indiana’s point guard looked like the playmaker who dazzled the NBA as a rookie in 2001 with his fearlessness and clutch play. He scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and the Pacers beat the Washington Wizards 119-110 on Wednesday night to give coach Jim O’Brien a win in his debut.
Gilbert Arenas picked up right where he left off last season by knocking down a 3-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets don’t expect to get a ton of goals from Jason Chimera. They do expect solid performances from goaltender Pascal Leclaire on a regular basis. Both were instrumental in Wednesday night’s 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Chimera scored two goals and Leclaire made 33 saves, helping the Blue Jackets extend their winning streak to four games.
Give him time. Don’t rush him. That was the message Carmelo Anthony had for anyone who expected immediate greatness out of Seattle rookie Kevin Durant. Durant’s shot was off in his NBA debut, and the Denver Nuggets beat the SuperSonics 120-103 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. Durant scored 18 points in just over 31 minutes, but shot just 7-of-22.
