Bucks off to flyer in defence

GIANNIS Antetokounmpo scored 32 points as the Milwaukee Bucks launched the defence of their NBA crown on Tuesday with a season-opening 127-104 demolition of the Brooklyn Nets.

Antetokounmpo (pictured) picked up where he left off in guiding the Bucks to victory in the NBA finals last season, leading an emphatic all-round offensive display that included 14 rebounds and seven assists.

The twotime NBA Most Valuable Player was one of five Bucks who cracked double figures. It was a chastening loss for Brooklyn, which has started the season without the services of Kyrie Irving.

In Irving’s absence, Kevin Durant led the Brooklyn scorers with 32 points, while James Harden had 20.

New signing Australian Patty Mills added 21 – making seven-from-seven from threepoint range.

In the other season-opener, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a humbling 121-114 loss to the Warriors. LeBron James led the Lakers with 34 points, while Anthony Davis had 33. But they were the only two Lakers in double figures

Stephen Curry starred for the Warriors with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists – his first triple-double since 2016.