TORONTO, 31 October 2003 — Vince Carter scored 39 points as the Toronto Raptors opened their season with a come-from-behind 90-87 win over the defending Eastern Conference champions New Jersey Nets in NBA action on Wednesday.
Carter missed 39 games last season with various injuries as the Raptors failed to make the playoffs.
He has failed to appear in 61 games over the past two seasons due to injury, but was brilliant in the second half as the Raptors rallied after trailing by nine points at the half and by as many as 13 points in the third quarter. Carter shot 15-for-30 from the field and made nine of 10 free throws, while Antonio Davis added 12 points and 14 rebounds. Rookie Chris Bosh added 11 points in 24 minutes for the Raptors in his debut, while Jerome Williams hauled down 14 rebounds for Toronto.
Kings 106 Cavaliers 92
In Sacramento, LeBron James scored 25 points and added nine assists and seven rebounds in his much-anticipated debut but the Kings still beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-92. James had an outstanding first game, but the Kings pulled away in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Cavs 23-14 in the final frame. Peja Stojakovic scored 22 points for the Kings, who have won 19 straight games at home against Eastern Conference opponents.
Mavericks 95 Warriors 87
In Oakland, Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points and added 14 rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 95-87 win over the Golden State Warriors. Antoine Walker added 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks (1-1), while Steve Nash contributed 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Celtics 98 Heat 75
In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 23 points and six Celtics hit double-figures as the Celtics beat the Miami Heat 98-75. Vin Baker and Eric Williams both scored 15 points for Boston, while Mike James and Raef LaFrentz both had 12 as the Celtics cruised to an easy opening night win.
Eddie Jones scored 22 points and had eight rebounds for the Heat, which has lost its first two games.
Pacers 89 Pistons 87
In Auburn Hills, Jermaine O’Neal had 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers to an 89-87 win over the Detroit Pistons as coach Rick Carlisle beat his former team. Ron Artest added 21 points for the Pacers.
Timberwolves 95 Bucks 89
In Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett scored 25 points, had 21 rebounds and six assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 95-89 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Sam Cassell added 18 points for the new-look Timberwolves, while Latrell Sprewell scored 15 points and Michael Olowokandi added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Hornets 88 Hawks 83 (OT)
In New Orleans, Darrell Armstrong 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists and made several key plays in overtime to help the Hornets edge the Atlanta Hawks 88-83.
David Wesley added 16 points for the Hornets, while Baron Davis had 15 points and 10 assists.
Magic 85 Knicks 83 (OT)
In New York, Tracy McGrady scored 26 points, 13 of them in the fourth quarter and overtime, to lead the Orlando Magic to a 85-83 win over the Knicks in overtime.
Orlando forced the extra period with a late 10-0 run in the fourth quarter.
Drew Gooden added 16 points and nine rebounds.
Wizards 99 Bulls 74
In Chicago, Larry Hughes scored 20 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 99-74 win over the Chicago Bears. Gilbert Arenas scored 18 points and added six assists for the Wizards.
Jazz 99 Trail Blazers 92
In Salt Lake City, Carlos Arroyo had 18 points and 13 assists as the Utah Jazz downed the Portland Trail Blazers 99-92.
Sasha Pavlovic and Andrei Kirilenko both added 16 points for the Jazz, who are rebuilding after the departures of John Stockton and Karl Malone.
Nuggets 80 Spurs 72
In Denver, Andre Miller scored 16 points and Marcus Camby pulled down 20 rebounds to lead the Nuggets to an 80-72 upset win over the defending NBA champions San Antonio Spurs.
