In NBA season opener, Bucks dominate Nets

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points and the Bucks opened the defense of their first NBA title in half a century by beating the Nets 127-104 on Tuesday night.

In his first game since scoring 50 in a title-clinching Game 6 Finals win over the Suns, Antetokounmpo also had 14 rebounds and seven assists.

Jrue Holiday sat out the second half Tuesday with a bruised right heel.

Kevin Durant led the Nets with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

Colleges: The American Athletic Conference received applications from Florida Atlantic, Charlotte, North Texas, UTSA, Rice, UAB to join the conference, ESPN reported. The AAC’s desire to expand comes after Cincinnati, UCF and Houston decided this year to eventually join the Big 12.

NFL: Browns QB Baker Mayfield said he expects to play Thursday against the Broncos despite a worsening injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Mayfield will be limited in practice and no decision has been made yet on his availability for the game. RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt already are out with calf injuries.

NHL: Jets captain Blake Wheeler will miss at least four games after testing positive for COVID-19. Wheeler, 35, who like all of his teammates is vaccinated, has symptoms. He must isolate from the team for at least 10 days . ... Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson scored 23 seconds apart in the third and the host Sabres rallied to beat the Canucks 5-2. The Sabres are 3-0 for the first time since 2008 and the fifth time in team history.

Soccer: Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool took advantage of Antoine Griezmann’s red card to beat host Atlético Madrid 3-2 and stay perfect after three matches in Champions League group play. Griezmann had two goals before being sent off. Liverpool leads Group B with nine points.