Nets too much for host Sixers
PHILADELPHIA — Kevin Durant had 29 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, James Harden scored 20 points and the Brooklyn Nets closed with a 16-1 run to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109 on Friday night as each team played without a much-discussed star guard.
The Nets were missing Kyrie Irving, who isn’t with the team due to his refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Ben Simmons sat out the home opener for personal reasons and the Sixers do not know when the threetime All-star will return.
They could have used Simmons’ defense to shut down the Nets late.
The 76ers tossed up airballs on consecutive possessions early in Brooklyn’s run. The Nets had never led or tied until Lamarcus Aldridge’s dunk with 48 seconds left made it 108-108. He sank the free throw for the one-point lead.
Durant made two free throws to seal Brooklyn’s comeback from 14 points down.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid scored 19 points on a sore right knee suffered against New Orleans in the opener. Tobias Harris and Seth Curry each scored 23 points for the 76ers.
Simmons has not played since his offseason trade demand. He met with the Sixers before the morning shootaround. Coach Doc Rivers said it was a “productive day” and hoped it was a start toward bringing Simmons back into the fold.
KNICKS 121, MAGIC 96
ORLANDO, Fla. — Julius
Randle had 21 points and 10 rebounds and New York improved to 2-0 for the first time since the 2012-13 season, beating Orlando.
Evan Fournier added 18 points for the Knicks. They opened with a double-overtime victory over Boston at home Wednesday night.
New York had it easier in Orlando’s home opener. The Knicks made a franchise-record 24 3-pointers against the rebuilding Magic (0-2), who fell behind by 31 points in the second quarter and were hardly competitive. New York’s biggest lead was 34 points.
Rookie Franz Wagner led the Magic with 16 points.
RAPTORS 115,
CELTICS 83
BOSTON — Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Gary Trent Jr. scored 12 of his 20 points in the third quarter and Toronto spoiled Boston’s home opener.
Precious Achiuwa had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and
Fred Vanvleet had 11 points and nine assists for Toronto, which lost its opener to Washington.
BULLS PELICANS
128, 112
CHICAGO — Zach Lavine scored 32 points, Demar Derozan added 26 and Chicago beat New Orleans in its home opener.
WIZARDS 135, PACERS 134, OT
WASHINGTON — Davis Bertans made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 34.4 seconds left in overtime, and Washington overcame Bradley Beal’s absence to beat Indiana.
With Beal out because of hip problems, Spencer Dinwiddie scored 34 points in his home debut for the Wizards, including a 3-pointer to tie it with 33.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Kyle Kuzma had 26 points for Washington.
HORNETS 123, CAVALIERS 112
CLEVELAND — Miles Bridges scored 30 points,
Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 and Charlotte took advantage of Cleveland’s sloppiness to open the fourth quarter.
ROCKETS 124, THUNDER 91
HOUSTON — Christian Wood had 31 points and 14 rebounds and Houston beat Oklahoma City in the Rockets’ home opener.