NEW ORLEANS — Stephen Curry scored 53 points and the defending champion Golden State Warriors won their third consecutive game to open the season, handing the New Orleans Pelicans a 134-120 defeat Saturday night.
It was the third consecutive double-digit loss for the Pelicans, who were playing their home opener at the Smoothie King Arena.
Curry scored 28 points in the third quarter helping the Warriors turn a 65-64 halftime deficit into a 105-91 lead. The Pelicans had no defensive answer for Curry, who was 10 of 13 in the quarter and made five 3-pointers. He even added a rare four-point play that gave Golden State a 105-89 lead.
Knicks 117, Wizards 110
WASHINGTON — Carmelo Anthony carried New York with 37 points including 11 in the fourth quarter.
Bradley Beal scored 22 of his 26 points in the second half and guard John Wall had 25 points for the Wizards.
Anthony missed his first two shot attempts before hitting eight straight. His deep pull-up jumper put New York up for good with 1:35 left in the back-and-forth battle.
Jazz 97, Pacers 76
INDIANAPOLIS — Derrick Favors scored 18 points to lead six Utah players in double figures, and the Jazz outscored Indiana 55-27 during the second half.
Rodney Hood added 17 for Utah, Trey Burke scored 15, Gordon Hayward had 11, and Alec Burks and Joe Ingles each added 10.
The Jazz out rebounded Indiana, 47-34.