The Cleveland Cavaliers slumped to their second defeat in as many games as the Toronto Raptors held them at bay for a 101-91 victory.

Expectations in Cleveland have been inflated following the pre-season acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal from Phoenix, however, last year's beaten Eastern Conference finalists have so far failed to find fluency with the future Hall of Famer in toe.

The Cavs lost 95-89 to the Boston Celtic on opening night yesterday and their second defeat was inflicted despite LeBron James posting the 25th triple double of his career (21 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists).

Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors with 28 points while Chris Bosh added 21 points and 16 boards.

The Celtics added to their opening-night win with a typically strong defensive display to dominate the Charlotte Bobcats 92-59 in their home opener.

Ray Allen led five Celtic scorers in double figures with 18 points.

Eastern Conference champions the Orlando Magic kicked off their campaign with a 120-106 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Magic were prolific from beyond the three-point arc hitting 16 triples, with Ryan Anderson shooting four-of-seven in his 16 points.

The Denver Nuggets overcame the Utah Jazz 114-105 with star duo Carmelo Anthony (30 points) and Chauncey Billups (26) leading their charge.

It was a bad night for the California franchises with the Golden State Warriors narrowly losing 108-107 to Houston, the Sacramento King were on the wrong end of a 102-89 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder while there was a second defeat in as many nights for the Los Angeles Clippers who fell 109-107 to the Phoenix Suns.

Allen Iverson sat out the Memphis Grizzlies' 96-74 loss to the Detroit Pistons with his hamstring injury while the Miami Heat made light work of the New York Knicks 115-93.

Elsewhere, the Atlanta Hawks won 120-109 at home to the Indiana Pacers, the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets 113-96 and a fourth-quarter Minnesota Timberwolves rally saw them pip the New Jersey nets 95-93.