Associated Press
The NBA Roundup …
MINNEAPOLIS ó Minnesota rookie Kevin Love made an impressive debut with 12 points and nine rebounds and Al Jefferson had 21 points and 10 rebounds to help the Timberwolves to a 98-96 victory over the rebuilding Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Minnesota coach Randy Wittman showed a lot of faith in the fifth overall pick from UCLA. Though Love didn’t get the start, he was inserted with the offense growing stagnant in the fourth quarter, and immediately made a difference.
With the Wolves clinging to an 81-80 lead, Love threw down a dunk to get the crowd going, then made a pretty little baby hook shot and converted the three-point play to give Minnesota a 90-84 lead with 6:17 to go.
Suns 103, Spurs 98
SAN ANTONIO ó Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points and four other Phoenix players scored in double figures to help the Suns beat the San Antonio Spurs 103-98 in the regular-season opener for both teams, giving Terry Porter a victory in his coaching debut.
Nash added 13 points and 13 assists for the Suns. Leandro Barbosa had 18 points, Shaquille O’Neal 15, and Grant Hill 13.
Knicks 120, Heat 115
NEW YORK ó Jamal Crawford scored 29 points, Zach Randolph added 20, and the Knicks beat the Miami Heat 120-115 on Wednesday night to win their first game under Mike D’Antoni.
Pistons 100, Pacers 94
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ó The Detroit Pistons played well enough to give Michael Curry a win in his debut as a head coach.
Tayshaun Prince scored 19 points as part of a balanced attack
Bucks 98, Thunder 87
OKLAHOMA CITY ó Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva each scored 20 points and the Milwaukee Bucks spoiled the Oklahoma City Thunder’s debut with a 98-87 win on Wednesday night.
Nets 95, Wizards 85
WASHINGTON ó Vince Carter scored 21 points to lead his rebuilding New Jersey Nets to a 95-85 season-opening victory Wednesday night over a Washington Wizards team missing Gilbert Arenas.
Hawks 99, Magic 85
ORLANDO, Fla. ó Joe Johnson scored 25 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, to help the Atlanta Hawks hold off a late Orlando rally for a 99-85 win Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.
Raptors 95, 76ers 84
PHILADELPHIA ó Chris Bosh had 27 points and 11 rebounds to help the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 95-84 on Wednesday night in the opener for both teams.
Rockets 82, Grizzlies 71
HOUSTON ó Yao Ming had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Ron Artest added 16 in his Houston debut, and the Rockets overcame poor shooting to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 82-71.