Michael Carter-Williams recorded 22 points, 12 assists and nine steals as the Philadelphia 76ers shocked defending champions Miami Heat by claiming a 114-110 triumph at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Brooklyn Nets were also beaten on the road as Kyrie Irving starred in a 98-94 victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jeff Green scored 25 points in a losing effort for the Boston Celtics in the team's first NBA game under new coach Brad Stevens, with the Toronto Raptors coming out on top 93-87.
Greg Monroe had 25 points and 16 rebounds for the Detroit Pistons in a convincing 113-102 win over the Washington Wizards.
The New York Knicks suffered a scare in front of their own fans at Madison Square Garden after blowing a 25-point lead, but a couple of vital plays from Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler late in the fourth quarter helped them beat the Milwaukee Bucks 90-83.
Dwight Howard tied his career record of 26 rebounds on debut for the Houston Rockets and he also added 17 points as the hosts eased to a 96-83 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats at the Toyota Center.
Kevin Love hit a three-pointer with just over 10 seconds on the clock to force the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Orlando Magic into overtime. The two-time All-Star finished with 31 points and 17 rebounds to edge the Wolves to a tense 120-115 win.
The Indiana Pacers won their second game in successive nights thanks largely to Paul George's 32 points in the 95-90 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Monta Ellis scored 32 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 24 as the Dallas Mavericks cruised to a 118-109 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks in their season opener.
There was also a win in Texas for the San Antonio Spurs, who beat the Memphis Grizzlies 101-94 despite losing Tim Duncan to injury in the third quarter.
Kevin Durant inspired the Oklahoma City Thunder to victory over the Utah Jazz by scoring 42 points in a tense 101-98 success in Salt Lake City.
Despite a combined 60 points from Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Portland Trail Blazers were defeated 104-91 by the Phoenix Suns as Jeff Hornacek started his NBA coaching career with a win.
DeMarcus Cousins starred with 30 points and 14 rebounds for the Sacramento Kings in a 90-88 triumph over the Denver Nuggets.
The Golden State Warriors opened their season by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 125-94, with Klay Thompson scoring 38 points in the success for the hosts.
Callum Mulvihill
