NBA scores: 76ers win opener against Nuggets, 84-75

Nine games were on the NBA docket last night, with the Philadelphia 76ers opening their season with an 84-75 win over the Denver Nuggets. In that game, forward Spencer Hawes led the Sixers with 16 points off the bench, along with 12 rebounds and five blocks. Other leading scorers for the Sixers include guard Jrue Holiday and forward Dorell Wright who both scored 14 points, while forward Thaddeus Young scored 13 points and guard Jason Richardson scored 10 points.

In other NBA action, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Toronto Raptors, 90-88 thanks to a basket by Pacers guard George Hill with 2.1 seconds remaining. Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash left the game in the third quarter with a shin contusion in the Lakers' 116-106 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Forward James Harden had an impressive debut for the Houston Rockets, scoring 37 points and recording 12 assists in a 105-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Sacramento Kings, 93-87, the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets, 99-95, despite 21 points by Hornets rookie forward Anthony Davis. The Utah Jazz won against the Dallas Mavericks, 113-94, the Golden State Warriors beat the Phoenix Suns, 87-85 and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 101-92.