Cunningham, Pistons thump LeBron, Sixers in wire-to-wire win
Cunningham, Pistons thump LeBron, Sixers in wire-to-wire win
LOS ANGELES, United States — LeBron James' Philadelphia 76ers, who had won all three of their opening games, fell 106-93 to the Detroit Pistons on Monday (Manila time).
Detroit — which topped the Eastern Conference last season — led wire-to-wire, pulling 21 points clear in the second quarter.
Tyrese Maxey tried his best to drag the Sixers back into the contest with 18 points in the fourth quarter, but the Pistons weathered the storm and also moved to 3-0.
"We're just staying steady. We're not getting ahead of ourselves," said Cade Cunningham, who top-scored for Detroit with 26 points.
Elsewhere, the New York Knicks lost their third straight game, falling 111-102 to the Orlando Magic despite Jalen Brunson's 28 points.
It is the worst start to a season by defending NBA champions since the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
"The reality of it is, giving up 40 points in the fourth quarter is way too much...When you're not shooting the ball well, like we are, you got to figure out different ways to win the ballgame," said Knicks coach Mike Brown.
Franz Wagner dropped 21 points in the fourth quarter alone to secure Orlando's first win of the season.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored with 34 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Clippers, 108-101.
But victory was marred by injury to Jalen Williams, who grotesquely snapped his ankle on a drive to the rim, and was stretchered from the court.
"I just feel bad for him...We just got to hold the fort down until he comes back," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who appeared to be in tears after the incident.
"Those are tough, man. We're not doing great. That's tough on the guys," added Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 26 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a third straight comfortable win, 117-94 over the Toronto Raptors.
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