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NBA Week 1 rewind: Stephen Curry, Thunder put on a show

By Tom West

October 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the first quarter in a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Oracle Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 114-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the first quarter in a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Oracle Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 114-103. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Key Games and Results of Week 1

112. 149. 106. 29. Final

As the 2015-16 NBA season kicked off for most teams on Wednesday night, the Spurs and Thunder faced off in one of the most anticipated matchups. The game featured stars left right and center, from the host of former championship winners on the Spurs roster to the terrifying (and healthy) All-NBA duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

As expected, the game didn’t disappoint. Behind 22 points from Durant (albeit on 6-of-19 shooting), a startlingly quick double double (15 points and 16 rebounds) from Enes Kanter in just 24 minutes, and 33 points and 10 assists from Westbrook, the Thunder prevailed to win 112-106. Even a career-high 32 points and exceptional defense from Kawhi Leonard wasn’t enough.

A future playoff contest between these two teams would be exhilarating to say the least. And despite the heavily praised Spurs after this offseason additions of LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, the Thunder proved on opening night how good they are when at full health.

24. 95. 156. Final. 97

The beasts of the East facing off on opening night. What better way to begin the new NBA season?

The Cavaliers have looked strong behind the play of LeBron James and the improved offensive role of Kevin Love so far, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Bulls from taking them down on opening night 97-95. Mo Williams looked like a valuable addition for the Cavs after recording 19 points and 7 assists, LeBron dropped 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, Love added 18 (albeit on 6-17 shooting), but the Bulls’ tough defense held them to a field goal percentage of just 40.4.

After crushing the Memphis Grizzlies 106-76 and taking down the Miami Heat 102-92, though, the Cavs are back on track. Not to mention, two solid double doubles from Love (17 points, 13 rebounds against Memphis, and 24 points, 14 rebounds against Miami) is a welcome glimpse of the impact he can make this year with more touches.

41. Final. 92. 169. 112

A matchup between two of the top Western Conference contenders should have been a close game. Both are looking to make a statement with their early season performance, yet the Warriors showed up in Houston and dismissed the Warriors with ease. Dwight Howard was posterized by Harrison Barnes and only finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds, while James Harden shot just 4-of-18 (an ice cold 1-of-10 from deep) for 16 points.

With a 112-92 win, behind Stephen Curry’s normal hot shooting (25 points on 9-of-15 shooting), the defending champions extended their strong start. They’ve won all their games by at least 14 points so far, and are starting at a frightening pace as their reigning MVP is averaging 39.3 points on 58.8 percent shooting.

139. 149. Final. 136. 38

What a surprise, it’s the deadly duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook that’s making a double appearance this week. But after taking part in one of the best NBA regular season games you could hope to watch, it’s easy to understand. If you were unlucky enough to miss this game, here are a few key moments that have to be mentioned (but seriously, you need to watch the highlights above).

From the second Victor Oladipo buried a step-back three pointer for the magic to take a 117-114 lead with just 3.9 seconds left, it looked like they’d probably sealed the deal. Not with Westbrook in the building, though. He stormed up-court off the inbounds pass and buried a buzzer beater from 40 feet out to send the game to overtime. From then on, clutch shot after clutch shot took place, as everyone from the Thunder’s duo, to Oladipo and Elfrid Payton, made pivotal shots to send decide the game in double overtime.

Who would have thought Oladipo would make two step-back threes to take a clutch lead and then again to create a second overtime this week? Not bad. Yet it still wasn’t enough to overcome Durant’s 43 points and 12 rebounds, or Westbrook’s 48 point, 11 rebound, 8 assist performance.

In fact, they’re the first duo in NBA history to both score 40+ points in more than one game, and the first to do so since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on February 18, 1996.

What an incredible performance from two of the best players in the game.

Next: Who's heating up?

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