Post Up: He’s Home

Hawks 114 (1-0), Wizards 99 (0-1)

Dwight Howard was the center of attention before the game, but Tim Hardaway Jr. had the best performance during the game. Lil’ Hardaway knocked in 21 big points, helping the Hawks pull away from away the Wizards in the fourth quarter. He and Paul Milsap each hit 3 three’s, with the Wizards only putting in 6 combined three’s. Howard had 11 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks in his debut.

Bulls 105 (1-0), Celtics 99 (1-1)

The first player introduced in the Bulls starting lineup was Dwyane Wade. And Tommy Edwards, the United Center public address announcer, didn’t say that Wade played for Marquette. He said he was from Chicago.

Wade rode the adrenaline all the way to a win, providing glimpses of his younger self. He dropped 22 points and hit 4 three’s, playing point guard and stepping up in the clutch. Jimmy Butler added 24 points, and 4 three-pointers of his own. The Celtics hung around for most of the game, led by Isaiah Thomas’ 25 points. IT4 was flanked by 16 from Avery Bradley and 14 Jae Crowder. But the night belonged to D-Wade, and his 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Spurs 104 (1-0), Kings 96 (0-1)

Kawhi Leonard’s chances of winning MVP are very real. The 25-year-old registered his second consecutive game of at least 30 points and 5 steals tonight. He also had 3 rebounds and 5 assists. His stat line puts him at averages of 32.5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals through two games. And though the Kings aren’t as imposing as the Warriors, Leonard led a stifling comeback effort, ripping Ben McLemore on back-to-back plays to break the game open. The Spurs only surrendered 30 second-half points.

Though Leonard dominated the night, DeMarcus Cousins put up a huge fight to try and save the opening of the Golden 1 Center. Boogie had 37 and 16 boards and he dropped 16 in the fourth, but couldn’t overcome Leonard.

Clippers 114 (1-0), Trailblazers 106 (1-1)

Things got heated more than a few times in this game. Mason Plumlee and DeAndre Jordan got it into it, CJ McCollum picked up a flagrant, Chris Paul took exception to a Damian Lillard foul.

But through all the noise, Blake Griffin had 27 points and 13 rebounds, assuring the League that his athleticism hasn’t gone anywhere. With the game being close throughout, Paul put the Blazers away late in the fourth with a dagger three from the left side. Paul also finished with 27.

After dropping 39 in his first game, Lillard scored 29 against the Clippers.