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Lakers ground Rockets to kick off new NBA era
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THE new-look Los Angeles Lakers, with Kobe Bryant retired and coach Luke Walton at the helm, opened their NBA season with a 120-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. D’Angelo Russell scored 20 points and Julius Randle added 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, who overcame James Harden’s 34 points and career-high 17 assists for Houston — who lost in former Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni’s first game in charge of the Rockets.
“It feels good,” said Walton, a former Laker who cut his coaching teeth as an assistant to Steve Kerr at Golden State.
“It feels really good. The guys really fought tonight. A big part of what we’re trying to do here is develop this identity, this culture ... learning how to win games is a skill at this level.”
Walton admitted to “nerves and excitement” before the contest, but was buoyed by the presence of his father, former NBA star Bill Walton.
“The Walton force will be strong tonight,” said the 36-year-old, who has been tasked with turning around a Lakers team that plunged to a 21-61 record in 2014-15, only to follow up with a franchise worst 17-65 campaign last season.
Two free throws from Clarkson lifted the Lakers to a 108-104 lead with 6:41 to play. But Harden converted a pair of foul shots with 3:53 left to knot the score at 110. Two Russell free throws boosted the Lakers to a 113-112 lead with 2:47 left and the hosts wouldn’t trail from there.
The Rockets, who led by as many as 10 points, grabbed a 71-63 edge at the half.
While the Lakers are in rebuilding mode — embarking on their first season since 1995 without superstar Bryant — there was plenty of glamour at Staples Center, where Hollywood stars Jack Nicholson and Denzel Washington were among the crowd, as was NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Elsewhere, it was: Pacers 130, Mavericks 121; Heat 108, Magic 96; Celtics 122, Nets 117; Raptors 109, Pistons 91; Hornets 107, Bucks 96; Nuggets 107, Pelicans 102; Grizzlies 102, Timberwolves 98; Thunder 103, 76ers 97; and Kings 113, Suns 94.
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