T’Blazers send Lakers to 0-2 start

PORTLAND—Dwight Howard made his free throws, had a monster game and it still wasn’t enough to save the fancied Los Angeles Lakers.

An inspired Portland Trail Blazers got 26 points from Nicolas Batum and led by as many as 19 points in a 116-106 over the Lakers in the NBA Wednesday.

Damian Lillard, the sixth overall pick in the June draft, had 22 points and 11 assists in his NBA debut for Portland, which survived Howard’s 33 points and 14 rebounds.

Howard, who debuted for LA shooting 3-of-14 from the stripe in an opening-day loss to Dallas, made 15 of 19 free throws this time. But even that failed to rescue the Lakers from dropping to a 0-2 start to the season.

“We’ve got to learn how to play together,” said Howard. “You’ve got to be good before you can be great.”

The Lakers’ troubles were compounded by the loss of guard Steve Nash to what appeared to be a left knee injury late in the first half.

Nash, acquired by the Lakers this summer, collided with Lillard and limped to the locker room.

“We’re not sharp,” Nash said. “I think the guys are trying, we just didn’t live up to what we’re trying to do.”

Kobe Bryant had 30 points for the Lakers.

In Toronto, George Hill scored the go-ahead basket with two seconds left, completing the Indiana Pacers’ rally for a season-opening 90-88 victory over the Raptors.

David West scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and Paul George had 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Pacers, who trailed 84-74 with just under six minutes left. Roy Hibbert added 14 points for Indiana.

In New Orleans, Tim Duncan scored 24 points, Tony Parker hit a huge three-pointer, and the San Antonio Spurs opened the season with a 99-95 triumph over the Hornets in the debut for top draft pick Anthony Davis.

Davis logged 21 points and seven rebounds, a promising start for the player who spent only one year at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats to the national title.

In Chicago, Joakim Noah scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and the Bulls got off to a good start without Derrick Rose, beating the Sacramento Kings, 93-87.

Richard Hamilton added 19 points, while Carlos Boozer chipped in with 18 points and eight rebounds.

In Philadelphia, Spencer Hawes had 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead the 76ers to an 84-75 win over the Denver Nuggets.

In Salt Lake City, Mo Williams and Marvin Williams each scored 21 points to lead the Utah Jazz over the Dallas Mavericks, 113-94.

In Phoenix, Carl Landry scored 14 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and the Golden State Warriors overcame an awful night by Stephen Curry to nip the Suns, 87-85.

Curry, who earlier in the day agreed to a four-year, $44 million extension with the Warriors, missed his first 10 shots from the field and wound up 2 of 14 with five points. AP