This week in the NBA: Lakers and the Rockets gets heated

Odds and preview of the NBA campaign

The first week of the 2018 NBA season has been punchy in more ways than one so far.

It all began last Wednesday when Eastern Conference favourites the Boston Celtics thrashed the Philadelphia 76ers 105-86.

This was followed by the reigning champions Golden State Warriors grabbing a narrow victory over a Russell Westbrook-less Oklahoma City Thunder.

But with plenty to talk about already, we’ve taken a look at everything you need to know from the first week of the hardwood campaign.

Last Saturday the Celtics lost their first match of the season to the ever-improving Toronto Raptors.

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points as the Raptors came back from 25-18 in the first quarter to eventually triumph 113-101.

The Toronto-based team lead the way in the east with a 3-0 record.

However, last night the Warriors were denied a third-straight win in the Western conference by a Nikola Jokic-inspired Denver Nuggets.

Jokic topped the headlines for his 35-point salvo to down the Phoenix Suns and was influential in a dramatic 100-98 victory over Golden State.

Steph Curry did become the sixth all-time NBA 3-point scorer in this game, surpassing Paul Pierce.