CAVALIERS, SIXERS LOSE BUT GET SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEW GUARD COMBOS

Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose paired in the backcourt in Cleveland. Ben Simmons finally on the floor with Markelle Fultz alongside in Philadelphia.

Two Eastern Conference teams with big aspirations got to see some of their tantalizing combinations together in their preseason openers Wednesday night.

Wade and Rose made their debuts for the Cavaliers, who got a great first impression from Kevin Love in the center spot. The former All-Star guards both scored seven points as Cleveland lost, 109-93, to the Atlanta Hawks while LeBron James sat out because of a sprained left ankle.

The Cavs are making Love their starting center this season and he began the game with three-pointers for Cleveland’s first two baskets.

Philadelphia started the last twoNo. 1 overall picks together in its 111-89 home loss to Memphis.

Simmons, who missed all of last season recovering from a broken foot, showed his versatility with six points, nine assists and seven rebounds. He shot only 2 for 8 and Fultz was worse at 2 for 13, finishing with four points in his first game.

Rookie Malik Monk scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as Charlotte spoiled Detroit’s first game at Little Caesars Arena, 108-106.

Andre Drummond had 16 points and 15 rebounds in the Pistons’ preseason opener.

Myles Turner and Lance Stephenson each scored 17 points in Indiana’s preseason opener—a 108-86 rout of Milwaukee.

Gary Payton II had 15 points for a Milwaukee team that put no other players in double figures.

All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to sit it out out following the death of his father. Also sitting out for the Bucks were Jabari Parker, Thon Maker, Jason Terry and Matthew Dellavedova.