Anthony Davis scored 36 points and rookie forward Jaxson Hayes added 24 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 110-106 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Davis had 22 in the fourth quarter, helping the Lakers overcome a 15-point deficit in the second quarter. The Mavericks built an 11-point lead in the first quarter and were ahead by five with 9:50 to play, but then were outscored 23-15.
Andrew Wiggins, who had 26 points in the Timberwolves’ season-opening win, was held to nine points in the first half and finished with 18.
Enes Kanter had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks, and Dwight Powell added 17 points and nine boards.
Markus Howard scored 17 points to lead Orlando to a 108-103 win over Detroit at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Terrence Ross added 16 points for the Magic, who led by 18 after one quarter and by as many as 20 in the second.
Andre Drummond had 19 points and 17 rebounds for the Pistons, who were trying to win their first season opener since Feb. 23, 2013.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Toronto Raptors 102-98 on Thursday night.
Greg Monroe scored 13 points for the Bucks, while Khris Middleton had 11 points and 11 rebounds. The NBA-worst Raptors led by as many as 19 in the first half.
DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 26 points. The Bucks were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo (right thumb surgery) and Tony Snell (left ankle sprain).
Utah Jazz’s Dante Exum (2) drives the ball over Golden State Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr. The Jazz won 114-94. Photograph: Mitch Stringer/AP
Joel Embiid scored 26 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Toronto Raptors 100-85 on Thursday night in a marquee preseason opener for both teams.
Jae Crowder added 16 points and Malcolm Brogdon scored 14 for the Bucks, who were 0-3 against the Raptors last season and 14-22 against Toronto since their last playoff series win in 2012.
Embiid, recovering from knee surgery last spring, made his season debut and bounced around the floor like a carefree kid in the backyard. Embiid had 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and nine rebounds, fanning the crowd as he threw up a lob to Crowder for a dunk and later dancing like a dancer.
The Raptors also were playing their first game without DeMar DeRozan (right knee surgery) and Kyle Lowry (left wrist surgery). In addition, power forward Serge Ibaka sat out with a foot injury.
When he was assigned to the No Justice, Randle was happy to contribute with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Devin Booker scored 15 points in 17 minutes as the Phoenix Suns beat the Portland Trail Blazers 89-86. In the opener of the Golden State Warriors’ back-to-back schedule, Draymond Green scored 14 points and Kevin Durant finished with 11. They were a combined 2-of-15 from 3-point range. The Warriors were 28 of 73 from the field.
Golden State Warriors guard Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (45) defends. Photograph: Adam Hunger/Reuters
Russell Westbrook scored 28 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 106-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The Thunder star had 10 assists to stretch his career-best to 250, but is still one shy of Jason Kidd for the most by a player who has played in at least 500 games.
Alex Len had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Kelly Oubre Jr scored 18 as the Washington Wizards beat the New York Knicks 109-101 at FedExForum in Washington.
DeMarcus Cousins, selected to his first All-Star game on Sunday, returned to the starting lineup and had 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in a challenging performance. David West added 18 points for the Warriors.
The San Antonio Spurs routed the Philadelphia 76ers 121-101. Kristaps Porzingis had 24 points for the 76ers, who were missing big man Joel Embiid (right knee surgery).