Round ball is back. The NBA tipped off the 2013-2014 season on Oct. 29 and fans had much to look forward to on the opening night. LeBron James and the Miami Heat received their championship rings; one of the most explosive players in Derrick Rose returned from injury; and two teams from one city battled for home court supremacy. With action returning to the hardwood, here are five things we learned from the NBA’s opening night.
Must go through Miami
The defending NBA champions, Miami Heat used the Tuesday night national spotlight to show the world that in order to become the champs, you must beat the champs. James and crew welcomed the Chicago Bulls to South Beach and after they received their 2012/2013 championship rings in front of the home crowd. The Bulls came out scrappy and quickly took a 9-2 lead but Miami turned up the “heat” and went on a 52-24 run to end the half 54-33. The second half was led by Carlos Boozer, who ended up with 31 points and seven rebounds, but a 3-pointer from the Heat’s Shane Battier with 1:33 left in the game was the icing on the cake for the Heat as the defending champs were able to hold off the Bulls for the 107-95 victory.
D. Rose returns
Although the Chicago Bulls lost to the defending champion Miami Heat, they were able to rest in knowing that they were starting the 2013/2014 season with their star point guard, Derrick Rose, who hadn’t played in a regular season game since April 2012 when he suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss the remainder of the season and the entire 2012/2013 season. Although Rose’s numbers were not spectacular, the Bulls star played with no concerns about his surgically repaired knee. Rose told reporters after the game that he was disappointed by the loss to the Heat and he needed to change some things related to his performance. Rose finished the night with 12 points, four assists, and five turnovers in 34 minutes.
Indiana Fans Over Oladipo
NBA rookie Victor Oladipo and the Orlando Magic traveled to Indianapolis to face off against the Indiana Pacers and the former Hoosier star found out how quickly the love can turn to dislike. Although Oladipo was not in the starting lineup, when the former Hoosier shooting guard entered the game, the crowd gave him a standing ovation, however, by the third quarter, Oladipo quickly discovered that he was no longer a hometown favorite. Oladipo finished the game with 12 points and three rebounds in 23 minutes.
Lakers still kings of L.A.
The NBA opening night saw two teams from one city that play in the same arena battle for true home court advantage and the Los Angeles Lakers, without Kobe Bryant, showed the Los Angeles Clippers that the “Lake Show” is still the main attraction at the Staple Center. The Clippers came into the matchup as the easy favorites as the Lakers were playing without their super star Kobe Bryant. The Clippers led the matchup the majority of the way but with 9:06 left in the fourth quarter, the Lakers took a three-point lead off a Jodie Meeks layup. The Clippers were able to get within one with 8:36 to go in the game but the Lakers were able to pull away with all bench players in the game down the stretch. Led by Xavier Henry, who finished the game with 22 points off the bench, the Lakers surprised NBA fans stealing one from the Clippers 116-103.
Anyone’s game
For the most part, NBA fans got what they expected from the opening night. But there were signs that showed the road for a three-peat by the Miami Heat will be a difficult road for the Heat to travel. The Bulls put up a good fight, the Lakers pulled off the unbelievable upset, and the Pacers showed that their playoff run from a year ago was not a fluke. Fans can expect to see the fast-paced and high-flying action they have been accustomed to but there does not appear to be a clear cut chosen one to sit at the top of the mountain in May.
–daminon lewis
