Raptors take on Bucks in home season opener

Milwaukee opened the 2006-07 season with a 105-97 win over the Central Division-rival Detroit Pistons Wednesday at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Bucks guard Michael Redd got the season off to a good start with a game-high 37 points on 14-of-22 shooting.

Redd was also a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line and helped the Bucks snap a six-game losing streak at Detroit. Charlie Villanueva and Andrew Bogut each scored 16 points for Milwaukee, while Maurice Williams contributed 14.

Villanueva also grabbed 12 rebounds and Bogut had nine for Milwaukee, which shot 46 percent from the floor and committed only eight turnovers.

Toronto, meanwhile, opened its season on a sour note with a 102-92 setback against former Raptor Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena. Carter had 25 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Anthony Parker paced Toronto with 22 points and T.J. Ford, who was acquired for Villanueva in an offseason trade with Milwaukee, netted 19 points and dished out seven assists.

Star center Chris Bosh scored 14 points for the Raptors, who shot 39.4 percent from the field and saw the debut of 2006 No. 1 overall draft pick Andrea Bargnani. The Italian rookie struggled with three fouls, two points, two blocks and two rebounds in just under nine minutes off the bench.

The Bucks won two of three games against Toronto last season and are 4-3 in their last seven encounters with the Raptors. Milwaukee has also won 10 of 13 and 12 of its last 16 trips to the Air Canada Centre.