Giannis scores 30 as Bucks hold off Rockets

Phoenix’s Ayton suspended 25 games for drug violation

HOUSTON — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and had a triple-double before fouling out and his supporting cast held on to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 117-111 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night in a star-studded opener featuring the last three MVPs.

Antetokounmpo, the MVP last season, fouled out with about five minutes remaining. He had 13 rebounds and 11 assists.

Brook Lopez made two free throws with about a minute left before a layup by Russell Westbrook. But Lopez made a fadeaway shot to leave Milwaukee up 115-109 with 39 seconds remaining. James Harden added a pair of free throws before Ersan Ilyasova made a jump shot with about 15 seconds to go that sent many fans heading to the exits.

Some had wondered what would happen with the pairing of the two ball-dominant guards in Harden and Westbrook after the 2017 MVP was traded from Oklahoma City for Chris Paul this summer. In their first game together with the Rockets both filled up the stat sheet, but they were unable to come away with a win after leading for much of the game.

Westbrook had 24 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, Harden, the 2018 MVP, added 19 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds.

HAWKS 117, PISTONS 100: In Detroit, Trae Young had 38 points and nine assists and Atlanta opened the season with a victory over Detroit.

John Collins added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Jabari Parker had 18 points. Vince Carter checked in for Atlanta with 6:52 left in the first quarter, becoming the first player to see action in 22 NBA seasons.

Derrick Rose led Detroit with 27 points, and Andre Drummond had 21 points and 12 rebounds.

CLIPPERS 141, WARRIORS 122: In San Francisco, Calif., Lou Williams scored 22 points and Kawhi Leonard added 21 to help Los Angeles spoil the debut of the Warriors’ new home and beat Golden State.

Stephen Curry scored 23 to lead the Warriors, who were playing their first game in the Chase Center.

AYTON SUSPENDED: Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has been suspended for 25 games without pay by the NBA for violating the terms of the NBA/ NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for a diuretic.

The first overall pick last year out of Arizona, Ayton averaged 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds as a rookie. He had 18 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday in the Suns’ victory over Sacramento.