(The Sports Xchange) – – -Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, including a big basket over LeBron James in the final minute, and the New York Knicks spoiled James’ home-coming celebrations with a 95-90 victory over the revamped Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers (0-1) wilted under the pressure of a big opening night as James shot just 5-for-15 and finished with 17 points, five rebounds and eight turnovers.
It was the star forward’s first game back since announcing that he was returning to Cleveland after four years in Miami in July.
Cleveland cut a nine-point deficit to 88-85 in the final minute but guard J.R. Smith’s floater with 48 seconds left pushed the Knicks (1-1) lead to 90-85. Anthony followed with a jumper over James to keep the lead at five points.
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Wizards 105, Magic 98
All-Star point guard John Wall had 30 points and 12 assists, leading the Washington Wizards to a 105-98 victory over the Orlando Magic.
The Wizards (1-1) led by as many as 17 points early in the fourth quarter and then held off a late Magic (0-2) charge.
The Magic closed to 100-98 with 44 seconds remaining before Wall scored the final five points.
All Washington starters scored in double figures. Center Marcin Gortat had 20 points and 12 rebounds, forward Paul Pierce added 16 points, and forward Nene and guard Garrett Temple had 12 each.
The Magic were led by center Nikola Vucevic with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
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Timberwolves 97, Pistons 91
Center Nikola Pekovic notched his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves fended off a fourth-quarter rally by the Detroit Pistons for a 97-91 victory in their home opener.
After holding a one-point lead at the half, the Timberwolves opened the third quarter by outscoring the Pistons 23-7.
Detroit got to within one point with a little over two minutes to go but Timberwolves guard Mo Williams hit a long jump shot and forward Thaddeus Young added a three-pointer on the next possession to keep Minnesota ahead for good.
Young finished with a team-high 19 points.
Detroit forward Caron Butler came off the bench to score a game-high 24 points.
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Mavericks 120, Jazz 102
Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points as the Dallas Mavericks pounded the Utah Jazz 120-102.
The Mavericks (1-1) rebounded from a tough opening-night loss at San Antonio by blowing the Jazz out early as Utah fell to 0-2, with both its setbacks coming by double figures.
Dallas shot 55 percent for the game, 60 percent in the first half, and out-scored the Jazz 52-28 in the paint.
The Mavs had seven players score at least 12 points.
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Clippers 93, Thunder 90
Forward Blake Griffin scored 23 points, including two crucial free throws down the stretch, and point guard Chris Paul added 22 to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 93-90 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City played much of the contest without guard Russell Westbrook, who injured his right hand in the second quarter and finished with two points, four assists and three turnovers in nine minutes.
Thunder forward Perry Jones posted a career-best 32 points, and forward Serge Ibaka finished with 17 points.
The Clippers (1-0) captured the first meeting between the two clubs since the Thunder (0-2) beat them in six games in the Western Conference semi-finals in May.
