The Boston Celtics opened the NBA season with a couple of tough matchups, against the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors, then sweated out a two-point win in New York on Saturday. Hosting the outmanned Orlando Magic on Monday night might have seemed like an easy "W" in the making; if not for the players, certainly for Celtics fans.
Instead, the Magic got out to a fast start and never let up in a 93-90 victory in Boston. Both teams are now 2-2.
The Magic pulled off the rare feat of having four players register double-doubles. Nikola Vucevic led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Forward Jonathan Isaac had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while guards Evan Fournier (14 points) and D.J. Augustin (10 points) each had 10 assists.
The Raptors, expected to be one of Boston's top challenger for the Eastern Conference title, took care of business against the Hornets in Toronto with an easy 127-106 victory. Kawhi Leonard led the 4-0 Raptors with 22 points, but four other players scored 15 or more, including Jonas Valanciunas, who came off the bench for 17 points (on 7-of-8 shooting) and 10 rebounds.
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Studs of the night
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 15 rebounds in the Milwaukee Bucks' win over the New York Knicks.
San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan had 32 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds in a 143-142 overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James scored 32 points, with 14 assists and eight rebounds, in the loss to the Spurs. Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma had 37 points.
Zach LaVine scored 34 in the Bulls' loss to the Mavericks.
Dud of the night
Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio hit only one of his eight shots and turned the ball over twice in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Highlights
With seconds remaining, LeBron James pulled up for a long 3 to tie the game.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal sends the game into overtime with this 3
What's next
76ers (2-1) at Pistons (2-0) 7 p.m. ET — Reigning NBA Coach of the Year Dwane Casey has his new team playing well in Detroit, but the Detroit Pistons will have its hands full with the talented 76ers. Pistons forward Blake Griffin averaged 29.5 points in Detroit's first two games, while Joel Embiid is averaging 28.3 points in the early going for Philadelphia.
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