Raptors coast by Sixers

Chris Bosh just about single-handedly carried the Toronto Raptors into the playoffs last season. Now he has a much-improved supporting cast.

Bosh had 27 points and 11 rebounds to help the Raptors beat the 76ers, 95-84, last night in Philadelphia in the opener for both teams.

Jermaine O'Neal added 17 and Jason Kapono had 15 for the Raptors, who finished 41-41 last season.

The Raptors improved drastically when they acquired O'Neal, a six-time All-Star, from the Indiana Pacers July 9. He appears to be healthy after missing 40 games last season because of lingering pain from a torn ligament in his left knee that was surgically repaired the previous summer.

"I feel really good," O'Neal said. "I said from the time I got here that I wanted to be part of the team and bring playoff-type intensity every night. We have to treat every game like a playoff game."

"I can't say enough about our defense," Toronto coach Sam Mitchell said.

Lou Williams scored 16 points, Andre Iguodala added 15, Elton Brand had 14 points and 13 rebounds in his Sixers debut, and Samuel Dalembert pulled down 17 rebounds. Andre Miller had 13 points.

Knicks 120, Heat 115 - Jamal Crawford scored 29 points, Zach Randolph added 20, and host New York beat Miami in its first game under Mike D'Antoni.

Wilson Chandler had 17 points and nine rebounds, and David Lee and Quentin Richardson each scored 16 points for New York. Relying just as much on solid defense as D'Antoni's uptempo offense, the Knicks seized control late in the second quarter, opened a 23-point lead in the third, then held on after the Heat got within 3 points in the final minute.

Dwyane Wade had 26 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds for the Heat.

Lakers 117, Clippers 79 - Kobe Bryant had 16 points and eight rebounds, Andrew Bynum added 12 points and nine rebounds, and the Lakers spoiled the host Clippers' opener.

The Lakers began their season with a similar blowout a night earlier, breezing to a 96-76 win at home against Portland.

Nets 95, Wizards 85 - Vince Carter scored 21 points to lead visiting New Jersey over a Washington team missing Gilbert Arenas.

Carter made a 16-foot fadeaway jumper over Caron Butler to put the visitors ahead, 90-82, with a minute left and effectively settled a back-and-forth game.

Hawks 99, Magic 85 - Joe Johnson scored 25 points, including 9 in the fourth quarter, to help Atlanta hold off an Orlando rally.

Dwight Howard had 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Magic, who lost their home opener for only the second time in the last nine seasons. Mickael Pietrus added 20 points.

Suns 103, Spurs 98 - Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points and four teammates scored in double figures to help Phoenix beat host San Antonio, giving Terry Porter a victory in his coaching debut.

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker each scored 32 points for the Spurs, who were playing without guard Manu Ginobili, who is out until December after ankle surgery.

Rockets 82, Grizzlies 71 - Yao Ming had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Ron Artest added 16 in his Houston debut, and the Rockets beat visiting Memphis.

Pistons 100, Pacers 94 - Tayshaun Prince scored 19 points as part of a balanced attack that gave Michael Curry-led Detroit the victory over Indiana in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Hornets 108, Warriors 103 - Chris Paul drove for the go-ahead layup with 19.4 seconds left and finished with 21 points and 11 assists in the New Orleans's victory over Golden State in Oakland, Calif.

Jazz 98, Nuggets 94 - Carlos Boozer had 25 points and 14 rebounds and Andrei Kirilenko added 16 points in his new reserve role as Utah defeated Denver in Salt Lake City.

Bucks 98, Thunder 87 - Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson, and Charlie Villanueva each scored 20 points and visiting Milwaukee spoiled Oklahoma City's debut.

Timberwolves 98, Kings 96 - Minnesota rookie Kevin Love made an impressive debut with 12 points and 9 rebounds in 19 minutes and Al Jefferson had 21 points and 10 rebounds to help defeat Sacramento.