Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

TORONTO (AP) Seven years in the NBA has taught LeBron James the importance of patience. It is being tested after Cleveland started its new season with two straight losses.

Andrea Bargnani scored 28 points, Chris Bosh had 21 points and 16 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors overcame James' 25th career triple-double to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 on Wednesday night.

"Early in my career, I'd get very upset when you lose two or three games, you'd just feel like you can't turn it around," James said. "But I'm at a point in my career now where I know that you can lose two but, at the same time, you don't look too far into it. You learn from the mistakes and you just try to get better."

James had 23 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, but Cleveland opened its season with consecutive losses for the first time since an 0-3 start in 2004-05. James scored 38 points in Tuesday's 95-89 home loss to Boston.

"I'm still positive," James said. "If it was 25 or 35 games into the season and we were going through a three- or four-game losing streak, then I'd be a little bit disappointed, but I'm not at this point."

Mo Williams scored 16 points and Shaquille O'Neal had 12 for Cleveland.

Celtics 92, Bobcats 59

In Boston, Kevin Garnett scored 10 points with seven rebounds in 26 easy minutes in his return to the Boston parquet and the Celtics held Charlotte to a franchise low in scoring in their home opener.

Magic 120, 76ers 106

In Orlando, Dwight Howard had 21 points and 15 rebounds, Vince Carter scored 15 points and the new-look Magic rolled to a victory over the 76ers.

Hawks 120, Pacers 109

In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 25 points, Al Horford had 24 and the Hawks downed Indiana.

Heat 115, Knicks 93

In Miami, Dwyane Wade began the defense of his NBA scoring title with 26 points, Jermaine O'Neal finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Thunder 102, Kings 89

In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Jeff Green added 24 points and the Thunder led from start to finish.

Spurs 113, Hornets 96

In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 17 points before leaving the game after a hard fall.

T-Wolves 95, Nets 93

In Minneapolis, Jonny Flynn scored 13 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to help the Timberwolves erase a 19-point deficit.

Pistons 96, Grizzlies 74

In Memphis, Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Ben Gordon added 22.

Rockets 108, Warriors 107

In Oakland, Calif., Luis Scola scored 15 of his 21 points in the third quarter and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Suns 109, Clippers 107

In Los Angeles, Steve Nash scored 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Nuggets 114,Jazz 105

In Denver, Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and rookie Ty Lawson scored seven of his 17 points in a fourth-quarter run.

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