NBA scores: Timberwolves drop first game, Lakers end early skid

Over an eventful weekend in the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves joined the many teams that have already dropped a game or three this season, fading away in a 105-86 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. The T-Wolves are now 1-1 this season as they try to stay competitive without the likes of Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio.

The Los Angeles Lakers fared far better on Sunday, finally claiming their first victory in four tries by trouncing the Detroit Pistons, 108-79, at the Staples Center. Dwight Howard led all scorers with 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, plus he anchored a defensive group that held the Pistons to 35 percent shooting from the field.

Howard continues to play well even as he adjusts to a very different squad in L.A., but his former team hasn't missed his presence just yet. After an easy 115-94 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, the Orlando Magic are now 2-0 this season, led by Glen Davis, who has averaged 25.5 points per game and 9.0 points per game as Howard's replacement.

After a few days of play, the league is already down to just a few unbeaten teams: the Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are all that's left with less than five percent of the season completed.