LeVert’s layup lifts Brooklyn
Caris LeVert’s driving layup with a second left gave him a career-high 28 points and the host Brooklyn Nets their first victory of the season, 107-105 over the New York Knicks last night.
LeVert surpassed the 27 points he scored Wednesday night in Detroit, when the Nets fell just short. He made sure they pulled this one out, driving right into the lane and putting up the tiebreaking shot over Tim Hardaway Jr.
D’Angelo Russell and Jarrett Allen each added 15 points for the Nets. They improved to 6-1 in home openers since moving to Brooklyn in 2012.
Hardaway and Enes Kanter each scored 29 points for the Knicks, who were trying for just their third 2-0 start in 20 years. Kanter tied it on a three-point play with 15.9 seconds remaining but all they could manage for a final shot after LeVert’s basket was a long 3-pointer by Hardaway that wasn’t close.
The Nets were still without starting forwards Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who just became a father, and DeMarre Carroll, who had right ankle surgery. But they did get back Allen Crabbe, their normal starting guard who came off the bench after missing the opener while recovering sprained left ankle.
Timberwolves 131, Cavaliers 123 — In Minneapolis, Jimmy Butler brushed off some early jeers from the jaded home crowd, scoring 33 points in 36 minutes to lead Minnesota past Cleveland.
Andrew Wiggins pitched in with 22 points and Anthony Tolliver hit three 3-pointers off the bench to bolster a vintage all-around effort by the four-time All-Star Butler, who requested a trade last month.
Butler made 10-of-12 field goals and 12-of-12 free throws, with seven rebounds, four steals and three assists to help the Timberwolves hold off a late charge by Kevin Love and the Cavaliers.
Pelicans 149, Kings 129 — Nikola Mirotic scored 36 points, Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and pace-pushing New Orleans continued its torrid start to the season with a win over Sacramento.
Jrue Holiday had 15 points and 10 assists for the Pelicans, who shot 58.9 percent (56 of 95) and reached 110 points before the third quarter ended.
Julius Randle and Ian Clark each scored 13, and Randle also had 13 rebounds for New Orleans.
Bucks 118, Pacers 101 — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 15 rebounds and Khris Middleton added 25 points to help host Milwaukee clobber Indiana.
Victor Oladipo led the Pacers with 25 points, and Doug McDermott added 14.
Grizzlies 131, Hawks 117 — Newcomer Garrett Temple scored 30 points, rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 as Memphis built a first-half lead and coasted past visiting Atlanta.
Temple, picked up in a July trade from the Sacramento Kings, missed only one of his 11 shots, making 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Jackson, the fourth overall pick in last summer’s draft, was 8-of-12 from the floor as Memphis collected its first win of the young season.
Hornets 120, Magic 88 — Kemba Walker scored 26 points and Nicolas Batum added 15 to lead visiting Charlotte over Orlando.
Miles Bridges had 15 points and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 12 as the Hornets beat the Magic for the 12th straight time. Charlotte limited the Orlando to just 33.3 percent shooting and 54 points in the first three periods.