Thunder hold off Spurs to win in Donovan’s debut
OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook had 33 points and 10 assists to help Billy Donovan win his NBA coaching debut as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 112-106 on Wednesday night.
Kevin Durant scored 22 points in his first regular-season game since February. He made just six of 19 field goals but hit two critical free throws with 11.5 seconds remaining to put the Thunder in control.
Enes Kanter had 15 points and 16 rebounds off the bench for the Thunder.
Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge had 11 points and five rebounds in his debut with San Antonio after nine years with the Portland Trail Blazers.
WIZARDS 88, MAGIC 87
John Wall hit a floater with 12.7 seconds to play as visiting Washington rallied to defeat Orlando.
Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 24 points, followed by Wall with 22.
CAVALIERS 106, GRIZZLIES 76
Kevin Love had 17 points and 13 rebounds, Richard Jefferson had 14 points, and visiting Cleveland built a big early advantage in wrecking Memphis’ season opener.
PISTONS 92, JAZZ 87
Reggie Jackson put Detroit ahead on a driving layup with 17 seconds left, and the Pistons held on to beat visiting Utah for their second consecutive victory to start the season.
It’s the first time the Pistons have been two games over .500 since March 2009, according to STATS.
KNICKS 122, BUCKS 97
Derrick Williams scored 24 points, 20-yearold Kristaps Porzingis had 16 in his NBA debut, and New York beat host Milwaukee.
Williams got easy looks under the basket to help the Knicks open a 12-point halftime lead. The reserve forward started the fourth quarter with a dunk off an alley-oop pass from rookie Jerian Grant that made it 92-73.
RAPTORS 106, PACERS 99
Jonas Valanciunas had 21 points and 15 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan scored 25, and host Toronto beat Indiana.
Kyle Lowry scored 23 points, and DeMarre Carroll had 14 in his Raptors debut. Luis Scola, who didn’t score against his former team, was the only Raptors starter not to reach double figures.
HEAT 104, HORNETS 94
Chris Bosh scored 21 points in his first game since getting sick last February, Dwyane Wade added 20, and host Miami beat Charlotte.
MAVERICKS 111, SUNS 95
Raymond Felton scored 18 points to lead eight Dallas players in double figures, and the Mavericks rolled at Phoenix.
BULLS 115, NETS 100
Jimmy Butler scored 24 points, Nikola Mirotic had 18, and visiting Chicago won for the second time in two nights to open the season.
CELTICS 112, 76ERS 95
Isaiah Thomas had 27 points and seven assists as host Boston beat Philadelphia. Led by Thomas, the Celtics’ reserves outscored their 76ers counterparts 67-15.
CLIPPERS 111, KINGS 104
Blake Griffin scored 33 points, and Paul Pierce endeared himself to his new teammates by putting Los Angeles ahead for good with a late jumper in the season-opening road victory.
BLAZERS 112, PELICANS 94
CJ McCollum scored a career-high 37 points, including six 3-pointers, and Portland opened its season with a victory over depleted New Orleans.