Timberwolves, 76ers Lead NBA Cup Race

The Timberwolves, Mavericks, 76ers, Celtics and several other contenders opened NBA Cup play with wins Friday. Minnesota beat the Clippers by 26 without Anthony Edwards as Jaden McDaniels scored 23, LaMelo Ball had 24 and Rudy Gobert grabbed 13 rebounds. Dallas handed Houston its first loss behind Kyrie Irving’s 35 points and Cooper Flagg’s 33. Philadelphia also beat the Knicks for the second time this season, improving to 5-1. Tyrese Maxey scored 27, while LeBron James posted 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Boston handled Chicago behind Payton Pritchard’s 30 off the bench. The 76ers and Celtics already look like the East’s Cup favorites, while Minnesota has early control in West Group B.