Bloomberg nixes the Nets' opener

IN THE END, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, not the NBA, had the final say about the Brooklyn Nets' home opener at their new arena.

The highly anticipated regular-season opener Thursday between the Nets and the New York Knicks at the $1 billion Barclays Center was postponed because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, Bloomberg announced Wednesday.

"Mayor Bloomberg informed us this afternoon that after further analysis of the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy that he felt it was in the best interests of the city of New York, the teams and our fans that we postpone the Knicks-Nets game scheduled for Thursday night," NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating storm."

A makeup date will be announced at a later time, the NBA said.

"The bottom line is, there just isn't a lot of mass transit and the police have other things to do," said Bloomberg, who noted that he recommended to the NBA that the league postpone the game.

Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark said all tickets for the Nets-Knicks game will be honored for the game when it is rescheduled.

The NBA had announced Tuesday the game would take place as scheduled. But shutdowns of mass transit because of the hurricane posed significant problems for fans trying to attend the game.

Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald said Friday's game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden is still on. NBA spokesman Tim Frank later confirmed that in an email.

"We're definitely disappointed . . . but we realize the seriousness of the situation," Nets point guard Deron Williams said on ESPN's "SportsCenter."

James Harden, who was acquired by Houston on Saturday as part of a blockbuster deal, has agreed to a 5-year, $80 million contract with the Rockets.

Houston also picked up the options for forwards Marcus Morris and Patrick Patterson for the 2013-14 season.

Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Thunder last season. He started only seven games in three seasons with Oklahoma City but became an indispensable reserve.

* Stephen Curry signed a $44 million, 4-year contract extension with the Golden State Warriors that will keep the point guard with the team through the 2016-17 season. It was the final day Golden State could sign Curry to an extension or he would become a restricted free agent next summer.

* The Memphis Grizzlies officially changed owners, and the new bosses emphasized their commitment to staying in Tennessee. The Grizzlies announced Wednesday that the reported $377 million sale by Michael Heisley had been finalized to a group that includes entertainer Justin Timberlake and Ashley Manning, wife of four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning.

* Center Daniel Orton has rejoined the Oklahoma City Thunder, 4 days after being cut by the team following training camp. Oklahoma City was in need of a third center after trading away Cole Aldrich as part of the deal that sent James Harden to the Rockets on Saturday, hours after Orton had been cut.

* Matt Barnes was to miss the Clippers' season opener on Wednesday night while serving a one-game suspension issued by the NBA after he pleaded no contest last month to a misdemeanor for resisting, delaying or obstructing a police officer.

At Auburn Hills, Mich., James Harden had 37 points and 12 assists in a stirring debut for Houston, and Carlos Delfino made four three-pointers in the fourth quarter to lift the Rockets to a 105-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

* At Toronto, George Hill scored the go-ahead basket with two seconds left, completing the Indiana Pacers' rally for a 90-88 season-opening win over the Toronto Raptors. Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 21 points.

* At New Orleans, Tim Duncan scored 24 points and the San Antonio Spurs opened the season with a 99-95 victory over the New Orleans Hornets, who got 21 points and seven rebounds from top pick Anthony Davis.

* At Salt Lake City, Marvin Williams and Mo Williams scored 21 points each and all five starters scored in double figures as the Utah Jazz beat the Dallas Mavericks, 113-94.

* At Chicago, Joakim Noah scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and the Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings, 93-87.