Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109

The Brooklyn Nets upset the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109 on Friday night, with Kevin Durant scoring 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, and James Harden scoring 20 points as the Brooklyn Nets ended with a 16-1 run.

The Nets were without Kyrie Irving, who was unable to play due to his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Ben Simmons sat out the Sixers' home opener due to personal concerns, and the team is unsure when he will return.

They could have taken advantage of Simmons' defense late in the game to shut down the Nets.

Early in Brooklyn's run, the 76ers threw up airballs on consecutive possessions. Until LaMarcus Aldridge's dunk with 48 seconds left, the Nets had never led or been tied. He made the free throw to give his team a one-point advantage.

Brooklyn's comeback from a 14-point deficit was sealed by Durant's two free throws.

Joel Embiid of Philadelphia scored 19 points despite a painful right knee suffered in the opener against New Orleans. For the 76ers, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry both scored 23 points.

Simmons hasn't played since requesting a trade in the offseason. Before the morning shootaround, he met with the Sixers. Coach Doc Rivers called it a "productive day" and expressed hope that it marked the beginning of Simmons' return to the fold.

MAGIC 96, KNICKS 121

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – New York overcame Orlando to go to 2-0 for the first time since the 2012-13 season, with Julius Randle scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. For the Knicks, Evan Fournier added 18 points. They started with a home win over Boston in double overtime on Wednesday night.

In Orlando's home opener, New York had it easier. The Knicks hit a franchise-high 24 3-pointers against the rebuilding Magic (0-2), who have outscored 31 points in the second quarter and were barely competitive. The largest lead held by New York was 34 points. With 16 points, rookie Franz Wagner led the Magic.

CELTICS 83, RAPTORS 115

BOSTON (CBS) — Gary Trent Jr. scored 12 of his 20 points in the third quarter, and Toronto spoiled Boston's home debut. Scottie Barnes added 25 points and 13 rebounds.

For Toronto, who dropped its season-opening to Washington, Precious Achiuwa had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Fred VanVleet had 11 points and nine assists.

Jayson Tatum scored 18 points and Al Horford returned for a second stay with the Celtics, adding 11 points and 11 rebounds in new Boston coach Ime Udoka's home debut. Jaylen Brown had nine points on 3-for-13 shooting after scoring a career-high 46 points in a season-opening double-overtime defeat to New York on Wednesday night.

PACERS 134, WIZARDS 135, OT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With 34.4 seconds left in overtime, Davis Bertans hit a game-tying 3-pointer, and Washington upset Indiana despite the absence of Bradley Beal.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 34 points in his home debut for the Wizards, including a 3-pointer with 33.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Bradley Beal was out due to hip concerns. Kyle Kuzma led Washington with 26 points.

For the Pacers, Myles Turner had a career-high 40 points. Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis added 28 apiece.

CAVALIERS 112, HORNETS 123

CLEVELAND (AP) — Charlotte took advantage of Cleveland's sloppiness in the fourth quarter, with Miles Bridges scoring 30 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. adding 25.

The Hornets trailed by one point entering the last 12 minutes before outscoring the Cavs 19-2 in the first 3:27 of the game when Cleveland turned the ball over seven times. Charlotte won its second straight game after Gordon Hayward hit two 3-pointers in the deciding run.

For the Hornets, Hayward had 18 points and LaMelo Ball had 17. Cleveland's Collin Sexton led the team with 33 points.

THUNDER 91, ROCKETS 124

HOUSTON, Texas — Houston trounced Oklahoma City in the Rockets' home opener, with Christian Wood scoring 31 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

Wood shot 13 for 19 from the field, including 4 of 6 from the 3-point line, and Oklahoma City had few answers. He was fourth in the voting for Most Improved Player last season, and he also had four blocked shots and a steal.

Eric Gordon scored 22 points on 4-of-6 3-point shooting. Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 18 points and nine assists. Oklahoma City was paced by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Mike Muscala, who both scored 13 points.

BULLS 128, PELICANS 112

CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago trounced New Orleans in its home opener, with Zach LaVine scoring 32 points and DeMar DeRozan adding 26. With 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against his former team, Chicago's Lonzo Ball notched a triple-double. New Orleans' Brandon Ingram scored 26 points.