Jordan makes shaky start

Jordan lays down the law to a Wizards apprentice

Wednesday's NBA results

Michael Jordan struggled to make an impact as his Washington Wizards fell to a 74-68 defeat to the Toronto Raptors.

Starting in his new role as a bench reserve, the 39-year-old legend scored eight points - making only four-of-14 shots - and misjudged an easy dunk in the fourth quarter.

"I missed some layups, had some good shots that didn't go in," Jordan said afterwards.

I was excited and a little nervous - in all aspects, it felt like a war

Yao Ming

"It was one of those games where it was pretty ugly on both sides. For us to come out and expect everyone to be clicking is far-fetched."

Elsewhere, the going was also tough for Chinese giant Yao Ming.

The first non-US player to top the NBA draft made a nervous debut for the Houston Rockets in their 91-82 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The 7ft 6in centre missed his only shot of the night, produced only two rebounds and lacked the speed top track Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal who scored 24 points.

"I learned I still have a lot to learn and I am just a rookie," Yao said.

Missing man: Shaquille O'Neal

"It was dispppointing, but there has to be a start for everything and this is a start for me.

"I was excited and a little nervous about my first NBA regular-season game. In all aspects, it felt like a war."

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers slumped to their second-straight defeat, losing 102-90 to the Portland Trail Blazers.

It took 18 games for the defending NBA champions to pick up two losses last season.

But this term, without injured centre Shaquille O'Neal and suspended forward Rick Fox, the Lakers have looked frail.

Fox gets six-game ban

Rasheed Wallace scored eight of his 28 points in the second quarter, when Portland outscored LA 39-17.

Star guard Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

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Wednesday's NBA results

Boston 96-99 Chicago
Indiana 91-82 Houston
Philadelphoa 95-93 Milwaukee
Toronto 74-68 Washington
Miami 86-100 Orlando
New Jersey 105-94 Atlanta
Detroit 86-77 New York
Memphis 108-119 Dallas
Minnesota 83-77 Denver
New Orleans 100-75 Utah
Portland 102-90 LA Lakers
Seattle 86-73 Phoenix
Golden State 106-98 San Antonio
LA Clippers 96-98 Cleveland

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