Doncic posts triple-double in Mavericks win

Luka Doncic highlighted his triple-double by scoring eight of his 25 points in the final five minutes, and the Dallas Mavericks topped New Orleans 123-116 in the Pelicans' home opener Friday night.

Don ci cal so had 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Kris tap sP or zing is added 24 points and five blocks. Delon Wright scored 1 8 f or Dallas, which has won its first two games this season.

Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 25 points after scoring 22 in a loss at defending NBA champion Toronto to open the season Tuesday night.

Towns has big night for Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns had 37 points ,15 rebounds and eight assists, and the Minnesota Timberwolves remained unbeaten with a 121-99 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.

The Hornets were playing without starting center Cody Zeller, and Towns took full advantage.

Towns was 13 of 18 from the field and used his 7-foot, 248-pound frame to create space inside. He also drained four 3-pointers against Bismack Biyombo and Willy Hernangomez.

Andrew Wiggins added 16 points for Minnesota, which outscored Charlotte 45-25 in the third quarter to break open a two-point game.

Celtics knock off Raptors with trio of 20-point scorers

Jaylen Brown had 25 points, hitting a key 3-pointer in the closing minutes, to help the Boston Celtics hold off the Toronto Raptors 112106 on Friday night.

Jayson Tatum had 25 points and nine rebounds, and

Kemba Walker scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Pascal Si akamh ad 33 points to lead the defending champion Raptors.

Butler to miss road trip after becoming a dad

Jimmy Butler's Miami Heat debut will remain on hold

During Friday's practice, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra announced that Butler will not travel with the team for its two-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday due to him recently becoming a father.

“Jimmy is now a proud father and he has a baby daughter,” Spoelstra said. “The rest I'll let him give you the details."

Butler missed the Heat's season opener as well.

Suns' center suspended for 25 games

Phoenix coach Monty Williams is fond of saying every team goes through a lot of "stuff" during the long 82-game NBA season.

That stuff is happening right now for the Suns.

The franchise is dealing with the aftermath of Deandre Ayton's 25- game suspension on Thursday. The second-year center was suspended without pay by the NBA for violating the terms of the NBA/ NBPA Anti-Drug Program after testing positive for a diuretic.