When it comes to close games on the Phoenix Suns' home court, the Houston Rockets just don't seem to get rattled. And when it comes to winning, the Vancouver Grizzlies just don't seem to know they're an expansion team.
The Rockets paid their first visit to Phoenix since they eliminated the Suns in the second round of the playoffs on May 20 and beat them again, 106-104 Sunday night. The Grizzlies became the first expansion team since the 1966 Chicago Bulls to start their inaugural season 2-0 when they defeated Minnesota 100-98 in overtime."I can't sit here and say I thought we'd be 2-0," Vancouver coach Brian Winters said. "But I thought we could be a competitive team. And that's the NBA. You play a lot of close games."
Unfortunately for the Suns, they have yet to win a game after losing a close one to their nemesis.
Mario Elie accounted for a seven-point Rocket swing late in the game, while Elliot Perry and Kevin Johnson missed last-second shots that could have sent it into overtime.
Hakeem Olajuwon had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the defending NBA champions and Clyde Drexler scored 21.
Barkley had 23 points and 17 rebounds, and Wesley Person scored 22.
Grizzlies 100, Timberwolves 98, OT
Playing in its home opener before 19,193 fans at GM Place, Vancouver beat Minnesota on Chris King's tip-in at the buzzer.
With a win Tuesday at Dallas, the Grizzlies can tie the Bulls' 3-0 for best beginning by an expansion team.
Byron Scott led the Grizzlies, who beat Portland on the road two nights earlier, with 18 points. Anthony added 17 and Blue Edwards 16.
Christian Laettner scored 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting for the Timberwolves. His 3-pointer with 14.7 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime.
Kings 99, Clippers 82
Mitch Richmond scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and hit three 3-pointers in the period as Sacramento pulled away to beat the Los Angeles Clippers.
Olden Polynice had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Kings.
The visiting Clippers, led by Loy Vaught's 20 points, were held to two points for nearly a seven-minute stretch in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles outscored Sacramento 15-1 in the closing minutes of the third quarter to pull to 70-67 entering the final period.