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Game of the Night

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) being elbowed by Houston Rockets centre Dwight Howard during the second half at Staples Center. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) being elbowed by Houston Rockets centre Dwight Howard during the second half at Staples Center. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Game of the Night

Houston Rockets 108 LA Lakers 90

James Harden scored 32 points, Dwight Howard added 13 points and 11 rebounds before getting into a shouting match with Kobe Bryant, as the Houston Rockets spoiled Bryant’s return to the Lakers on Tuesday (yesterday Singapore time).

Bryant’s comeback game got even worse when Lakers rookie forward Julius Randle broke his right leg in the fourth quarter, leaving his NBA debut on a wheeled stretcher. The seventh overall pick out of Kentucky collided with two Rockets under the basket and landed awkwardly.

Bryant scored 19 points in his first game back at Staples Center after missing most of the Lakers’ worst season in a half-century with two major injuries. AP

Other results

San Antonio 101 Dallas 100

Tony Parker had 23 points, including a big 3-pointer late in the game, as San Antonio began its title defense with a thrilling victory over the Mavericks.

Manu Ginobili added 20 points for San Antonio while Tim Duncan had 14 points and 13 rebounds for his 14th double-double in a season opener, the most by any player in NBA history.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver presented San Antonio’s staff and players with their championship rings, inscribed with the words “Good to Great”, which was coach Gregg Popovich’s mantra last season.

New Orleans 101 Orlando 84

Anthony Davis had 26 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocks, leading New Orleans to the season-opening win. The Pelicans’ new 7-foot center, Omer Asik, had a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds.

Quotes of the night:

“He elbowed me in the face, and I’m gonna let him know, I don’t like that. It’s that simple.” Kobe Bryant on his altercation with former team-mate Dwight Howard

“They don’t like each other, simple as that.” Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott on the incident

Tweet of the night:

“I had the same injury as @J30_RANDLE - he’ll recover fine. #StayStrong” - LA Lakers great James Worthy (‏@JamesWorthy42) on rookie Julius Randle’s broken tibia

Stat of the night:

Anthony Davis and Omer Asik accounted for 34 of New Orleans’ 62 rebounds vs Orlanda, and 14 of the team’s 17 blocks

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