Kawhi Leonard’s debut in his new home arena will have to wait.
Leonard was one of the regulars who rested Friday night, when the Toronto Raptors defeated Melbourne United, 120-82.
The Raptors scheduled five preseason games this season, but Friday’s was the only one that’ll be played in Toronto.
Kyle Lowry also got the night off for the Raptors, who don’t play again in Toronto until the season-opener Oct. 17 against Cleveland.
“You bring 20 guys to camp, it’s a little difficult to get all of them a decent look,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “There’s also a chance now to give some long extended minutes to some other guys.”
Melbourne stayed with Toronto for much of the first half. After 18 minutes, Toronto’s lead was 34-31. Over the next 18 minutes, the Raptors outscored their Australian guests 67-27 and took a 101-58 lead into the fourth quarter.
MAGIC 119, FLAMENGO 82
Aaron Gordon scored 29 points and grabbed eight assists in 24 minutes, shooting 10 for 12 from the field and leading Orlando to an easy win over the Brazilian club Flamengo.
Flamengo had a pair of notable former NBA players; Anderson Varejao finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Leandro Barbosa scored eight points.
The teams made a combined 91 percent of their free throws – 21 of 22 by the Magic, 21 of 24 by Flamengo.
76ERS 120, MAVERICKS 114
JJ Redick was 10 for 10 from the field, 7 for 7 from 3-point range, and led all scorers with 28 points off the bench for Philadelphia in the opener of the China Games.
Joel Embiid finished with 22 points for Philadelphia (3-0). Dennis Smith Jr. scored 20 for Dallas (1-1).
Dallas was without Dirk Nowitzki (recovering from ankle surgery), DeAndre Jordan (death in family) and Harrison Barnes (right hamstring strain). … This is Dallas’ first preseason trip abroad since playing games in Germany and Spain in 2012. … Maxi Kleber scored 17 points and rookie Luka Doncic was one of three Mavs to score 11.
THUNDER 113, TIMBERWOLVES 101
Paul George made his preseason debut and scored 13 of his 23 points in the first quarter, and Oklahoma City never trailed.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points for Minnesota. But Andrew Wiggins struggled, scoring four points on 2 for 9 shooting in 28 minutes.
WIZARDS 121, HEAT 114
Bradley Beal led six Washington players in double figures with 20 points, and the Wizards outscored Miami 70-55 in the second half.
Jeff Green scored 15 points and Markieff Morris added 13 points and 10 rebounds for Washington. Yante Maten and Justise Winslow each scored 17 points for Miami.
