Toronto had a tough two-and-a-half period when they received New Orleans at home.
At most, they were down by 11 points, but before the fourth period, the Canadians had recovered from the bottom and the home team led 88-86 ahead of the final period. That effort was not quite enough and the score was 117–117 when the final signal went off.
In the long run, however, Toronto was the strongest. The extension period won Toronto by 13–5 and the final score for the match is written 130–122 to the home team.
Williamson injured
The best scorer was the home players Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet with 34 points each.
New Orleans squeezed in last summer's super-promise Zion Williamson in the draft, but managed during the premiere without the talent. Williamson injured his knee last week and on Monday the team announced that he will be gone for six to eight weeks after operating the knee.
Hong Kong activists on site
During the preseason, much of the talk was about the American basketball league's crashing relationship with China. It all started when Houston Rockets sports director Daryl Moreys wrote on Twitter he supports the Hong Kong protesters' fight for democracy. China is an important market for the NBA and the conflict can be very costly. Among other things, several Chinese companies have broken their contracts with the NBA.
And the debacle was reminiscent even during the season premiere.
Ahead of the matches in Toronto and Los Angeles - where the other day's clash between LA Clippers and LA Lakers is played - Hong Kong activists handed out shirts with political messages.
Basketball conflict - what is it all about?