Oct 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives the ball against Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Payton II (0) and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) in the third quarter at TD Garden. Photo Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
BOSTON — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter as the Milwaukee Bucks spoiled the Boston Celtics’ emotional home opener with a 108-100 victory Wednesday night.
Boston, which lost for the second straight night under the cloud of the gruesome injury sustained by newcomer Gordon Hayward in Cleveland on Tuesday, appeared to tire late in the game as the Bucks turned a six-point, fourth-quarter deficit into a win.
In addition to his scoring in the final quarter, Antetokounmpo also had two steals, two (of his 13) rebounds and two assists as the Bucks used a 17-4 run to take control.
Hayward addressed the crowd pregame from his hospital bed, stating, “I’m gonna be all right.” With 3:21 left in the first half, the crowd broke into a chant of “Gor-don Hay-ward.” Hayward was undergoing surgery Wednesday night, his father tweeted.
Wizards 120, 76ers 115
WASHINGTON — John Wall scored 18 of his 28 points in the second half, Bradley Beal had 25 and Washington opened the season with a victory over Philadelphia.
Marcin Gortat had 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Wizards. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Jodie Meeks each scored 14 points off the bench for Washington, which opened at home for the first time since 2011.
Joel Embiid had 18 points, 13 rebounds and one block in 27 minutes for the 76ers. Robert Covington had 29 points and sank 7 of 11 3-pointers, and Ben Simmons finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in his NBA debut after missing all of last season with a foot injury.
Pacers 140, Nets 131
INDIANAPOLIS — Victor Oladipo scored 22 points to lead eight Indiana players in double figures as the Pacers topped Brooklyn in the season opener for both teams.
Oladipo, a former Indiana University standout, was making his regular-season debut after coming to Indiana from Oklahoma City with Domantas Sabonis in the Paul George trade. Sabonis scored 16 points.
D’Angelo Russell was high for the Nets with 30 points on 12-of-22 shooting. Trevor Booker added 20 points and 10 rebounds. Brooklyn’s Jeremy Lin, who scored 18 points, was hurt with 4:53 remaining and needed help to get off the court with an apparent right knee injury.
Pistons 102, Hornets 90
DETROIT — Tobias Harris poured in 27 points, and Detroit celebrated its first regular-season game at Little Caesars Arena with a victory over Charlotte.
Harris also grabbed 10 rebounds in the new downtown building. Avery Bradley, who was acquired in a trade with Boston during the summer, had 15 points in his Pistons debut. Langston Galloway contributed 16 points off the bench.
Kemba Walker’s 24 points led the Hornets in the opener for both teams. Jeremy Lamb added 15 points, and Dwight Howard supplied 10 points and 15 rebounds in his Hornets debut. Howard was acquired in an offseason trade with the Atlanta Hawks.
Magic 116, Heat 109
ORLANDO, Fla. — Evan Fournier scored 23 points, including seven in the last two minutes, to lead Orlando over Miami.
It was the first time since 2012 the Magic won their season opener. Orlando rode a well-balanced attack with six players scoring at least 12 points. Nikola Vucevic led the way with 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Terrence Ross had 15 points.
The Heat’s Hassan Whiteside posted game highs with 26 points and 22 rebounds. He scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback that fell short.
