Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers

The Chicago Bulls opened their NBA season with a thrilling victory, holding off Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 97-95 win on Monday at United Centre.

James had a chance to tie the game in the Cavs’ last possession, but his last game heroics was denied by Bulls big man Pau Gasol. Derrick Rose, playing with a masked to protect his fractured left orbital, scored 18 points and dished out five assists while Nikola Mirotic and Jimmy Butler each had 19 and 17 points respectively.

Mike Dunleavy remains out following a back surgery while Joakim Noah limped out of the game with a little more than eight minutes remaining in the ball game after taking a knee-to-knee blow from Richard Jefferson. The win gave Fred Hoiberg a successful debut as head coach of the Bulls.

US president Barack Obama was seen sitting at courtside to watch his favourite team go against the best basketball player on the planet. Obama, who is in his hometown to speak to the International Association of Chief of Police and attend a Democratic fundraiser, entered the arena late in the first quarter and greeted some people at courtside as he made his way to his seat.

"I think it's very promising," Obama said of Hoiberg’s NBA coaching debut, reports ESPN."You've got a new coach, he's opening up the offense a little bit.”

Kevin Love contributed with 18 points and eight rebounds, while new addition Mo Williams had a solid performance with 19 points and seven assists. Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert did not play due to injuries. Matthew Dellavedova played 20 minutes with Irving sidelined, but the Aussie guard only posted six points and four assists.

Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans

The Golden State Warriors completed their championship tour after the players received their championship ring before opening their season against the New Orleans Pelicans. Reigning MVP Steph Curry scored a game-high 40 points and seven assists to help the Warriors contain Anthony Davis and the Pelicans 111-95.

Assistant head coach Luke Walton recorded his first win as the interim head coach of the Warriors, with Steve Kerr on leave due to an ongoing recovery from an offseason back surgery. But Kerr was in the building to receive his championship ring, along with Alvin Gentry, who now calls the shots for the Pelicans.

"It's killing me not to be out there tonight," Kerr said. "I've got to be patient and that's probably not my greatest virtue right now."

Curry did not disappoint fans after raising the franchise’s third championship banner, putting on a shooting clinic after scoring 24 points in the first quarter alone. The half of the “Splash Brothers” finished on 14 out of 26 shooting, recording his 10 th career 40-point game.

Andrew Bogut, who recently hit back at LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers about doubting their championship win, received his championship ring that was actually fitted for his middle finger. Bogut posted 12 points, but despite wearing a protective brace for a broken nose, the Aussie centre still got stitches for a laceration above his right eye after bumping head-to-head with Pelicans’ Dante Cunningham later in the game.

Davis scored a team-high 18 points for New Orleans, but was only 4 out of 20 from the field after being swarmed by Warriors’ underrated defence. Backup point guard Ish Smith took every opportunity on the floor, playing 38 minutes, along with 17 points and nine assists. Jrue Holiday took some rest, while Luke Babbitt and Omer Asik was sidelined due to injuries.

NBA results

Detroit Pistons defeat Atlanta Hawks 106-94

Match Highlights (Courtesy: YouTube/NBA Daily Recap)

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