Nuggets spoil Rockets’ opener
Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets 105-85 in the season opener for both teams at Toyota Center.
The Nuggets led by as many as 20 and never trailed.
Emmanuel Mudiay had 17 points (8 in the fourth quarter) and 9 assists in his NBA debut.
For the Rockets, James Harden had 22 points (9 in the second quarter) and 6 assists but shot 6 for 21, and Trevor Ariza went 1 for 7 from 3.
The Nuggets shot 50.6% from the field and 48.1% from 3 to the Rockets’ 34.5% and 22.9%. They held the Rockets to 85 points. The Nuggets’ starters outscored the Rockets 44-30 in 20 minutes together. Jameer Nelson fouled out.