Leonard helps Raptors top Cavs

Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and a teamhigh 13 rebounds in his Toronto debut, Kyle Lowry scored 27 points and the Raptors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 116104 on Wednesday night in Toronto.

Fred VanVleet scored 14 points, Pascal Siakam had 13 and Danny Green 11 as the Raptors won their sixth straight season opener and gave Nick Nurse a victory in his first game as head coach.

Kevin Love scored 21 points and Cedi Osman had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Cleveland knocked Toronto out of the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but faces a struggle this season now that former star LeBron James is with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Leonard played 37 minutes in his first competitive game since January with San Antonio. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year was limited to nine games last season because of a quadriceps injury.

Lowry led Toronto with eight assists and shot 5-for-6 from 3-point range.

Jordan Clarkson and George Hill each scored Cleveland’s Sam Dekker blocks Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard during Wednesday’s season opener. 15 points and Rodney Hood had 12 for the Cavaliers, who trailed by as many as 20.

Cleveland had won 15 of the previous 17 meetings between the teams, including 10 straight postseason games.

PELICANS 131, ROCKETS 112: Anthony Davis had 32 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists while Nikola Mirotic scored 30 points to lead New Orleans over Houston. BUCKS 113, HORNETS 112: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists, and Milwaukee spoiled Charlotte’s comeback attempt. Antetokounmpo made two free throws with 23.7 seconds remaining to put the Bucks ahead.