The four-game slate on Day 3 of the 2021-22 NBA preseason saw eight teams get their first taste of competitive basketball.
We got you covered with the top performers, biggest storylines, highlights and the final scores from Tuesday (ET).
Notable performers
Julius Randle (NYK): 20 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL
Zach LaVine (CHI): 25 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
Alex Caruso (CHI): 10 PTS, 10 AST, 2 REB
Ja Morant (MEM): 27 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST
Biggest storylines
Bulls put on a show at United Center
En route to a dominating 131-95 victory, the Bulls flexed their muscles and put on a dunk show at the United Center. Seven different players scored in double figures led by Zach LaVine's 25 points which he scored in just 24 minutes of action.
"We've been playing this way in practice. It looks like this," LaVine said postgame.
Lonzo Ball, who was not one of the seven double-digit scorers but had an all round game with eight points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks, was optimistic about the new-look Bulls being able to put on a show of this sort on a consistent basis.
"A lot of credit goes out to the fans. We're gonna try to put a show on for them every time," Ball said
Young Rockets backcourt star in win
In a close hard-fought encounter at the Toyota Center, the Rockets came out on top against the Wizards.
Young guard Kevin Porter Jr. scored a game-high tally of 25 points in 29 minutes, while his backcourt mate and rookie Jalen Green scored 12 as the duo showed plenty of promise to emerge as one of the most exciting young duos in the NBA.
25 PTS for @Kevinporterjr power the @HoustonRockets! #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/iDXezFBiBi
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2021
Bucks-Grizzlies game suspended
A fire alarm issue forced the Bucks-Grizzlies game at the FedEx Forum to be suspended at the end of the third quarter.
When suspended, the Grizzlies led 87-77 with Ja Morant scoring 27 of those including a couple of great highlight-reel dunks.
Meanwhile, for the Bucks, nearly every key rotation player - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, Rodney Hood, Donte DiVincenzo and Semi Ojeleye - was rested.
Top highlights
Ja Morant threw down a couple of highlight-reel dunks in Memphis
Ja is in midseason form.
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2021
He's got 27 points midway through the 3Q on TNT. #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/3ZiF6Zf74g
FLIGHT 12, CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2021
Ja things on TNT pic.twitter.com/dnIAdYnyzc
It was a dunk show in Chicago and not just by Zach LaVine!
ZO ➡️ ZACH
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2021
AC ➡️ ZACH
The Bulls are putting on a SHOW 🔥https://t.co/V0kkYEn6W6 pic.twitter.com/uALCYthHXX
The Caruso no-look..
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2021
Or the DeRozan reverse??@chicagobulls on NBA LP pic.twitter.com/LVqhWKJVXo
Javonte Green joins the dunk show!@NBCSChicago | @2Xtremebounce pic.twitter.com/xwgyzub5Xe
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 6, 2021
Rookie Jalen Green showed off the moves as he recorded his first bucket.
Jalen Green to the rack for his first #NBAPreseason points! pic.twitter.com/d9h7qKISWT
— NBA (@NBA) October 6, 2021
Final scores
New York Knicks 125, Indiana Pacers 104
Chicago Bulls 131, Cleveland Cavaliers 95
Houston Rockets 125, Washington Wizards 119
Memphis Grizzlies 87, Milwaukee Bucks 77 (suspended)
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