Leonard delivers, Raptors win opener
TORONTO A new superstar, a new head coach, and a victory for the new-look Raptors to open what’s been one of the mostanticipated NBA regular seasons for Toronto in awhile.
Kawhi Leonard, Toronto’s prized off-season acquisition, had 24 points and 12 rebounds in his first real game as a Raptor, while Kyle Lowry had 27 points and eight assists, and Toronto beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-104 on Wednesday.
“I felt good. I’m happy we came out and got a win,” Leonard said. “I came out of the game healthy. So it’s a winwin for me.”
Fred VanVleet added 14 points, while Pascal Siakam finished with 13 on a night that marked Nick Nurse’s first game as Toronto’s head coach.
Kevin Love led the Cavs with 21 points, while Cedi Osman added 17. Canadian Tristan Thompson grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds.
Leonard played 37 minutes in first regular-season action since Jan. 13 — the two-time defensive player of the year missed all but nine games because of a quadriceps injury in a bizarre season last year in San Antonio. The 27-year-old missed his first three shots before Lowry gave up an easy basket for a pass to the trailing Leonard four minutes into the game. He shot 9-for-22 on the night.
How close is he back to peak form?
“It’s one game,” Leonard said. “I can only see what’s in front of me right now, so it’s not that I’m looking back saying I want to get back to that level, it’s about right now and what I need to do to be the best player for the Raptors. That’s what my focus is.”
Jonas Valanciunas had six points to go with 12 boards, but it was his passing — including a beautiful behind-the-back bounce pass to OG Anunoby for a dunk — that delighted the crowd.
SPURS 112, TIMBERWOLVES 108
SAN ANTONIO — DeMar DeRozan had 28 points in his San Antonio debut, LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points and 19 rebounds and the Spurs overcame a 23-point performance by Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler in a matchup of teams coming off a tumultuous off-season.
DeRozan was acquired from Toronto after the Spurs responded to Kawhi Leonard’s trade demands by dealing their star forward and Danny Green for the Raptors’ All-Star guard and Jakob Poeltl.
Minnesota is facing a similar trade demand from Butler, who has opted to play through it. Butler, who has told Minnesota that he will not resign with the team in the offseason, added seven rebounds and three assists in an active 31 minutes.
KNICKS 126, HAWKS 107
NEW YORK — Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 31 points, sparking the Knicks during their franchise-record, 49point second quarter, and New York beat Atlanta in its first game under coach David Fizdale.
PELICANS 131, ROCKETS 112
HOUSTON — Anthony Davis had 32 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, and Nikola Mirotic scored 30 points to lead New Orleans past Houston.
BUCKS 113, HORNETS 112
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists, and Milwaukee spoiled Charlotte’s celebration of 30 years of basketball.
PACERS 111, GRIZZLIES 83
INDIANAPOLIS — Bojan Bogdanovic scored 19 points and Victor Oladipo added 16 to help Indiana rout Memphis in the largest-opening night victory margin in the franchise’s NBA era.
PISTONS 103, NETS 100
DETROIT — Andre Drummond had 24 points and 20 rebounds, and Detroit won its opener under new coach Dwane Casey.
MAGIC 104, HEAT 101
ORLANDO, Fla. — Rookie Mohamed Bamba dunked twice and blocked a shot during Orlando’s 9-0 run in the fourth quarter and the Magic held off Miami.