HOUSTON — Dwight Howard lived up to the hype Wednesday, tying his career high with 26 rebounds to help Houston post a 96-83 NBA season-opening victory over Charlotte. Howard, the most coveted free agent of 2013, left a tumultuous 2012-13 season with the Los Angeles Lakers behind him when he signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Rockets in July. In addition to dominating on the boards, he contributed 17 points in his first game with his new team. James Harden scored 21 points in the victory, Francisco Garcia added 19 and fellow reserve Jeremy Lin chipped in 16. Lin, the Asian-American star who joined the Rockets as a free agent prior to last season after sparking a global following with the New York Knicks, downplayed the fact that Patrick Beverly got the nod as starting point guard. “You have to look at the game as a whole, like how many minutes you play and what you do when you are on the floor,” he said. “I don't think it is a big deal. Everybody wants to start but only five can.” Thunder 101, Jazz 98 Kevin Durant scored 42 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a victory over the Utah Jazz in the teams' 2013-14 season-opener. Durant only shot nine-for-24 from the field, but nailed 22 of 24 free throws, including a pair with 6.8 seconds remaining in the win. Thabo Sefolosha and Reggie Jackson each added 14 points as the Thunder (1-0) won without injured star point guard Russell Westbrook. Cavaliers 98, Nets 94 Tristan Thompson's 18 points led six double-figure scorers for the Cavaliers as Cleveland defeated the revamped Brooklyn Nets 98-94 in the season opener for both teams. In other results it was: 76ers 114, Heat 110; Spurs 101, Grizzlies 94; Knicks 90, Bucks 83; Pacers 95, Pelicans 90; Raptors 93, Celtics 87; Pistons 113, Wizards 102; Timberwolves 120, Magic 115 (OT); Mavericks 118, Hawks 109; Suns 104, Trail Blazers 91; Kings 90, Nuggets 88; Warriors 125, Lakers 94. — Agencies
