First busy night of the new season

UNDATED (AP) — Nine games are on the NBA schedule this evening. In Philadelphia, the 76ers are facing Denver with the Nuggets featuring a familiar face to Sixers fans. Andre Iguodala spent eight seasons playing for the 76ers and tonight he makes his debut as a member of the Nuggets. He was sent west in part of a blockbuster, four-team deal that brought Andrew Bynum East to Philly. His playing status is uncertain as he is suffering from a knee injury.

The Raptors open their season tonight with a game at home against the Pacers. Visiting Indiana is full of high expectations for the new season as the Pacers were in the playoffs last season for the first time in seven seasons. Indiana won all three outings between the two clubs last season.

Houston’s Rockets have a new face in their lineup as just a few days ago they acquired last year’s Sixth Man of the Year award winner in the NBA, James Harden of Oklahoma City. He was unable to work out a long-term deal with the Thunder and a multi-player and draft pick deal was worked out between the two clubs. During last season Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds 3.7 assists per game.

The Bulls had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, 50-16, but they were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the 76ers. It was during that series that former league MVP Derrick Rose tore up his left knee. He is still not able to play. Chicago kicks off its new season tonight, at home, against the Kings.

San Antonio is returning 13 players from last season’s 50-16 team and is looking to go deep in the playoffs. They led Oklahoma City 2-0 in the Western Conference final but eventually lost the series. This evening they are facing the Bobcats in New Orleans. The Hornets sport a new owner in Tom Benson and nine new players.

After beating the Lakers last night the Mavericks have moved up to Salt lake City for a game tonight against the Jazz. Utah has lost seven of the last eight games played between the clubs.

No Steve Nash in Phoenix? Sure thing, as the perennial All-Star is now playing for the Lakers. Tonight, the Suns start their season with a home game against Golden State. The Warriors took two of three from the Suns last season.

Memphis is playing in L.A. against the Clippers tonight. The two clubs met in the first round of the playoffs last season as the Clippers eliminated the Grizzlies in seven games. To go along with Blake Griffin, the Clippers acquired Chris Paul from the Hornets in the off season.

And in the final game of the night the Lakers look for their first win of the season when they visit Portland. The Blazers are coming off a down season as they won just 28 games last season. Neither Dwight Howard or Steve Nash dominated for the Lakers in last night’s loss to the Mavericks.

Vick stays behind center

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Andy Reid, the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, has decided to stick with Michael Vick at quarterback. The decision was announced this morning. The Eagles have lost three straight and Vick has struggled all season with turnovers. Philadelphia is on the road this week for a game next Monday night in New Orleans.

In fact, Reid didn’t have many options as the Eagles’ depth chart shows unproven rookie Nick Foles in the No. 2 spot behind Vick.

Royals fight Alzheimer’s, hope to raise money 

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Day by day, Alzheimer’s disease is robbing Edith Royal of her husband Darrell.

Heat playing like champions…New-look Lakers yet to mesh

UNDATED (AP) — The Miami Heat got their NBA championship rings, and then went out and played like champions.

Dwyane Wade scored 29 points and the Heat beat the Boston Celtics 120-107 in their season opener. LeBron James scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while missing much of the second half with leg cramps,

Ray Allen, in his first game with Miami since leaving Boston over the summer, added 19 points for the Heat. Chris Bosh also had 19.

Paul Pierce scored 23 points to lead Boston.

Before the game, as “We Are The Champions” blared, the 2012 NBA championship banner was raised immediately after the Heat players and front office personnel received their rings.

In last night’s other NBA openers:

— Darren Collison scored 17 and Dallas placed six players in double figures and schooled the new-look L.A. Lakers 99-91. Los Angeles added two-time MVP Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the offseason, and Kobe Bryant missed most of the preseason resting a foot injury. Howard scored 19 points before fouling out. He was just 3 of 14 from the free throw line. Pau Gasol led all scorers with 23 for the Lakers, who made just 12 of 31 free throws.

— Kyrie Irving scored 29 points, Anderson Varejao had a career-high 23 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers opened the season with a 94-84 victory over the Washington Wizards in the first game on the NBA schedule. Rookie Dion Waiters added 17 points for the Cavs.

Granger out…Knicks’ Stoudemire to miss 6-8 weeks

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pacers forward Danny Granger is out indefinitely because of a sore left knee.

The 6-foot- 8 former All-Star led the team in scoring last season and has averaged 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in seven NBA seasons.

Granger played through the Eastern Conference semifinals with a sore left knee and has had blood-platelet treatment in hopes of healing.

The Pacers open their season tonight at Toronto.

Also:

— The Nets’ first game at their new Brooklyn home against the crosstown-rival Knicks on Thursday could be in jeopardy. The new arena is heavily dependent on mass transit and New York City subways and commuter rail are out in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

— Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire will have left knee surgery and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. That means Stoudemire could miss more than twice as long as the Knicks originally estimated when he was hurt during the preseason.

— The Timberwolves have exercised third-year options on guard Ricky Rubio and forward Derrick Williams for the 2013-14 season.

— The Jazz have exercised an option that will keep coach Tyrone Corbin under contract through the 2013-14 season. Corbin was thrust into the job following the abrupt retirement of Jerry Sloan in February 2011. He guided Utah to the playoffs last season.

Locked-out players getting escrow checks

TORONTO (AP) — Locked-out NHL players are expected to get back last season’s escrow payment today. That’s what a union spokesman says.

Players are set to be given 7.98 percent of what they earned last year, plus interest, on the day they were to have received their second paycheck of the currently delayed season.

The escrow payments will amount to about $80,000 for every million dollars a player earned, before deductions.

Gold Glove winners…Peavy gets two-year deal from Chisox

UNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen and San Diego third baseman Chase Headley are among nine players who have won Gold Gloves for the first time.

Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy also was in the first-time group. The Orioles were the only team with three winners, with center fielder Adam Jones and catcher Matt Wieters also being picked by major league managers and coaches.

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina and Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira each won for the fifth time.

In other baseball news:

— Pitcher Jake Peavy and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a $29 million, two-year contract. Peavy, the 2007 Cy Young Award winner, went 11-12 with a 3.37 ERA in 32 starts with the Chisox this year.

— The White Sox also exercised a $9.5 million option on right-hander Gavin Floyd. But they declined a $10 million option on right-hander Brett Myers and turned down a $13 million option on third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Cassel getting another chance

UNDATED (AP) — Matt Cassel is back under center as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback.

Coach Romeo Crennel says Cassel will start Thursday night’s game at San Diego because Brady Quinn has not been cleared to practice due to a concussion. Ricky Stanzi will be the backup.