Raptors top Hornets to remain unbeaten

TORONTO 127 CHARLOTTE 106

Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points, Kyle Lowry had 16 points and a season-high 14 assists and the Toronto Raptors never trailed Monday night in a 127-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Toronto, improving to 4-0.

A tough Raptors defense took the sting out of Charlotte’s threepoint shooting.

“It was a high-scoring, freeshooting team coming in here,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “We asked them to get out and contest and disrupt some of their rhythm stuff and we did a pretty good job of that.”

The Hornets made an NBAbest 49 three-point shots in their first three games but made only nine of 28 against the Raptors.

Orlando 93, at Boston 90: Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 12 rebounds and the Magic survived three-point attempts by Celtics stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward in the closing seconds.

at Golden State 123, Phoenix 103:

Stephen Curry scored 15 of his 29 points in the third quarter and also had eight assists for the two-time defending NBA champions. Kevin Durant scored 22 points and Draymond Green had eight assists.

Washington 125, at Portland 124

(OT): Markieff Morris scored 28 points and Otto Porter Jr. blocked Damian Lillard’s layup at the final buzzer in overtime, enabling the Wizards to win for the first time in three games. Lillard had 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Trail Blazers.

at Milwaukee 124, New York 113:

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 15 assists, Khris Middleton made two late three-point shots on his way to scoring 30 points and the unbeaten Bucks withstood a furious second-half rally by the Knicks.

Memphis 92, at Utah 84: Mike Conley scored 23 points and Marc Gasol, despite fouling out in the fourth quarter, had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies.

at Minnesota 101, Indiana 91:

Jimmy Butler returned to the Timberwolves lineup and scored 20 points. Butler, who received a mix of boos and cheers during introductions, sat out Saturday’s game for precautionary rest.

at Dallas 115, Chicago 109: Former Clipper DeAndre Jordan had 18 points and 16 rebounds, becoming the first Mavericks player in 24 years to start a season with three consecutive double-doubles.

San Antonio 143, at Lakers 142 (OT)