NBA Preseason Day 5: Stephen Curry, Warriors lose again; D-Rose, Wade make Cavs' debuts
Minnesota Timberwolves 111-95 Golden State Warriors
On a Thursday afternoon, the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves played the first of two preseason games in China. This one, played in Shenzhen, seemed like a blowout the way the Warriors' starters began in the first quarter. The defending champions jumped to an early 32-20 first quarter lead courtesy of a red-hot start from Stephen Curry
With the help of the veterans added mid-season, the Timberwolves stayed composed and clawed their way back by halftime but they still trailed by three after Kevin Durant finished the half with a breakaway slam.
Starters from both teams didn't play much of the second half and that's when the Timberwolves took control. Outscoring the Warriors 32-12 in the fourth quarter, the T-Wolves improved to 2-0 for the preseason. Jimmy Butler was Minnesota's best performer with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while Durant top-scored for the champs with 20 points.
Meanwhile, Golden State falls to 0-2 with their second match-up against the Minnesota slated for Sunday in Shanghai.
Atlanta Hawks 109-93 Cleveland Cavaliers
Sure, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first preseason game by 16 to a rebuilding Atlanta Hawks but don't bother making headlines on this game. First up, LeBron James didn't step on the court for a minute and every starter that did didn't play more than 15 minutes. Tyronn Lue treated the first game as a mere feeling process.
Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade in their debuts for the Cavaliers, starting as the team's backcourt duo, combined for 14 points and 7 assists. Kevin Love filled the stat sheet in his 15 minutes with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Cavaliers will next face-up against the Indiana Pacers a couple of days later at home.
The Hawks were led by their German point guard Dennis Schroder, who recorded 18 points and 4 assists in 25 minutes. Atlanta next plays the Detroit Pistons a couple of days later.
Memphis Grizzlies 110-84 Philadelphia 76ers
Brandan Wright (MEM): 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
Jahlil Okafor (PHI): 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks
Charlotte Hornets 108-106 Detroit Pistons
Jeremy Lamb (CHA): 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds
Andre Drummond (DET): 16 points, 15 rebounds
Indiana Pacers 104-86 Milwaukee Bucks
Lance Stephenson (IND): 17 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
Gary Payton II (MIL): 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
Chicago Bulls 71-118 Dallas Mavericks
Harrison Barnes (DAL): 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Paul Zipster (CHI): 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Haifa Maccabi 78-117 Utah Jazz
Brandon Bowman (MCH): 28 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Alec Burks (UTA): 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
Denver Nuggets 122-104 Los Angeles Lakers
Mason Plumlee (DEN): 13 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists
Kyle Kuzma (LAL): 21 points, 2 rebounds