Cavs survive test from the Raptors

TORONTO The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors, the two best teams in the Eastern Conference last season, showed some early-season rust but still managed an exciting finale Friday night.

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points including the winning three-pointer with 44.3 seconds remaining and LeBron James added 21 as the Cavaliers staved off several fourth-quarter Toronto comeback attempts to defeat the Raptors 94-91.

“I think it was a good test for us,” said James. “It’s fun to have games like that throughout the regular season. It sharpens your sword.

“This is a (Toronto) team that we know is going to be very good throughout the season. (A) good road win for us early in the season.”

DeMar DeRozan, who combined with Jonas Valanciunas for 72 points in Toronto’s season-opening win over Detroit, led the way again with 32 points on 12-of-28 shooting. Kyle Lowry had 17 on five-of-16 shooting while Valanciunas had 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting and 17 rebounds.

Each team had 18 turnovers with nine of Toronto’s coming in the second quarter when the Raptors were outscored 22-17.

“The second quarter killed us,” lamented Toronto coach Dwane Casey.

He took solace in the fact that the Raptors held the NBA champions to 41.8 per cent shooting and 94 points.

THUNDER 113, SUNS 110, OT

OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook had 51 points and a triple-double and scored the winning points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns.

T.J. Warren had a career-high 30 points for the Suns.

HORNETS 97, HEAT 91

MIAMI — Kemba Walker scored 24 points to lead six players in double figures and Charlotte erased a 19-point deficit in the second half.

ROCKETS 106, MAVERICKS 98

DALLAS — Trevor Ariza scored 27 points, James Harden had 26 and Houston beat Dallas with Dirk Nowitzki missing from the Mavericks’ home opener.

NETS 103, PACERS 94

NEW YORK — Jeremy Lin had 21 points and just missed a triple-double in his Brooklyn home debut, Brook Lopez scored 25 and the Nets got their first victory.

PISTONS 108, MAGIC 82

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Andre Drummond had 12 points and 20 rebounds, helping Detroit rout Orlando in what might have been the final home opener for the Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons owner Tom Gores confirmed before the game the team is close on a deal to move downtown next season.