A busy day of preseason basketball, that included a strong performance by Rajon Rondo and the Chicago Bulls against a D-League Cleveland Cavaliers team. A bit later, the Golden State Warriors stars struggled against the Denver Nuggets, but managed to pull off the preseason win thanks to a game-winner by Patrick McCaw.
San Lorenzo 105 Toronto Raptors 122: Fred VanVleet started and was spectacular against the Argentine team, scoring 31 points. Norman Powell also got a chance to be in the lineup, finishing with 17 points.
Indiana Pacers 106 Orlando Magic 114: The Pacers lineup dominated the game, but Serge Ibaka was the player who stood out, scoring 19 points in 29 minutes, hitting 3-for-3 from beyond the arc while grabbing 17 rebounds. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 17 points, Paul George and Jeff Teague each had 16.
Cleveland Cavaliers 108 Chicago Bulls 118: The Cavs played no one of significance, and were led by 23 points from John Holland off the bench, while Jordan McRae finished with 19. No Jimmy Butler on the Bulls, who got 20 points and 6 assists from Rajon Rondo, playing next to Dwyane Wade, finishing with 11 points. The Bulls started a big lineup with Taj Gibson (18 points), Doug McDermott and Robin Lopez.
Miami Heat 108 San Antonio Spurs 100: Tyler Johnson continues his strong preseason with 17 points off the bench, while both Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters finished with 15 points. LaMarcus Aldridge didn’t play for the Spurs, who got a team-high 11 points from Kawhi Leonard.
Golden State Warriors 129 Denver Nuggets 128: An interesting game, won by Patrick McCaw of all players. However, the Warriors small-ball lineup struggled just like it did for moments in the playoffs, maybe losing its special edge. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points, Kevin Durant had 19 and McCaw finished with 18. Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets scoring 19 points, as they’re now worried about Emmanuel Mudiay tweaking his ankle.
.@warriors game-winner pic.twitter.com/n5g1WR7Hbq
— R.C. Davis (@rcdavisNBA) October 15, 2016
Dallas Mavericks 107 Phoenix Suns 112: Eric Bledsoe had a good game with 17 points to lead the Suns, but Phoenix were especially pleased with their rookies: Dragan Bender looked much better scoring 11 off the bench, and Marquese Chriss had 17 in the lineup. DIrk Nowitzki finished with 10 points, Harrison Barnes had 7 points, and Deron Williams led the Mavs with 17.