MINNEAPOLIS – Kevin Garnett had 25 points, 21 rebounds and six assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves hung on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-89 Wednesday night in the opener for two teams sporting a much different look.

Newcomers Sam Cassell (18 points), Latrell Sprewell (15 points) and Michael Olowokandi (11 points, nine rebounds) helped out Garnett, as did holdover reserve Gary Trent (14 points).

Michael Redd and Desmond Mason each had 16 points for Milwaukee, playing its first game under rookie coach Terry Porter.

Wizards 99, Bulls 74

CHICAGO – Gilbert Arenas was a winner in his Washington debut, scoring 18 points and adding six assists in the Wizards’ 99-74 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Larry Hughes added 20 points to lead six Washington players in double figures, and Etan Thomas had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds

The loss spoiled the homecoming of Scottie Pippen, who is back in a Bulls uniform for the first time since winning the 1998 NBA title. Fans gave Pippen a long, loud standing ovation when he was introduced before the game.

Raptors 90, Nets 87

TORONTO – Vince Carter scored 25 of his 39 points in the second half as the Toronto Raptors rallied for a 90-87 victory over the New Jersey Nets in the season opener for both teams.

Carter, who played only 43 games last season because of injuries, almost single-handedly gave new Raptors coach Kevin O’Neill his first win.

Hornets 88, Hawks 83

NEW ORLEANS – Darrell Armstrong scored 18 points and made an assortment of crucial plays in his New Orleans debut, lifting new coach Tim Floyd and the Hornets over the Atlanta Hawks 88-83 in overtime. David Wesley added 16 points, including a 3-pointer in overtime to spark a 7-0 run as the Hornets overcame a late 81-77 deficit.

Magic 85, Knicks 83

NEW YORK – Tracy McGrady scored half of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to rally the Orlando Magic to a season-opening 85-83 victory over the New York Knicks.

Orlando forced overtime with a 10-0 run over the final 3:55 of regulation. The Magic made it a 15-point spurt by scoring the first five points of the extra session – punctuated by McGrady’s 3-pointer with 3:42 left. But the Knicks came back with six straight points, taking a 79-78 lead on Kurt Thomas’ turnaround jumper.

Pacers 89, Pistons 87

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Jermaine O’Neal had 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers held on for an 89-87 victory over the Detroit Pistons, helping coach Rick Carlisle beat the team that fired him.

Jazz 99, Trail Blazers 92

SALT LAKE CITY – Carlos Arroyo had 18 points and 13 assists in his second career start, and Sasha Pavlovic scored 16 points in his NBA debut as the Utah Jazz began rebuilding by rallying past the Portland Trail Blazers 99-92.

The Jazz played a season opener with neither John Stockton nor Karl Malone in the starting lineup for the first time since 1986.

, trailed by 13 in the third quarter before overcoming a noticeable size advantage with some torrid shooting.