Los Angeles: NBA champions the Golden State Warriors and beaten finalists Cleveland Cavaliers were beaten as early season struggles continued for the league’s powerhouse teams.
Tim Hardaway Jr and Kristaps Porzingis combined for 66 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 114-95 victory over the Cavs in Cleveland.
In Oakland, the Warriors coughed up 25 turnovers in a 115-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Hardaway scored 34 points and Porzingis added 32 with 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who handed LeBron James and the Cavaliers a fourth defeat in eight days. “Tonight’s loss and the last couple are unacceptable, and the only way we’re going to be able to get out of it is to put the work in — as players, as coaches,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. “And we’re going to do that. So, not concerned.”
Golden State squandered a 14-point third-quarter advantage over Detroit.
Perennial Western Conference contenders San Antonio also fell as Indiana’s Victor Oladipo drained the game-winning three-pointer with 10.3 seconds remaining in a 97-94 win over the Spurs.
