LaMelo Ball had 34 points and 11 assists in his return from an ankle injury and Grant Williams made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to give the Charlotte Hornets a 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets Wednesday night.

Playing in a regular-season game for the first time since Jan. 26, LaMelo Ball had 34 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to lead the Hornets to a 110-105 win over Houston.

The Charlotte Hornets started their season off on a high note, rallying from an 18-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 110-105 in the first game of the year. Superstar point guard LaMelo Ball led the way,

SportsLine's model simulated Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday and has made its NBA predictions

Led by Alperen Sengun, the Houston Rockets (-7.5) are solid favorites Wednesday versus Nick Richards and the visiting Charlotte Hornets.

The NBA season tips off Thursday night when the defending champion Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks at the TD Garden. The Knicks are supposed to be a title contender this year, but the defending champions from Boston rate as a 5 1/2-point favorite as they start their title defense in their own arena.