JAYSON Tatum had 33 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to help the Boston Celtics defeat the visiting Cavaliers 120-117, ending Cleveland’s season-opening, 15-game winning streak.
The Cavaliers were attempting to become the second team in NBA history to start a season 16-0. The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors won 24 straight games before losing.
Al Horford added 20 points and seven rebounds while Derrick White supplied 19 points for the Celtics, who made 22 of 41 3-point shots while winning an NBA Cup game.
Boston led 110-102 after White connected on a 3-pointer with 4:23 remaining. Cleveland pulled within four when Donovan Mitchell made a trey with 24.4 seconds left, then cut its deficit to three twice, the last time being on Ty Jerome’s jumper at the final buzzer.
Mitchell had 35 points and eight rebounds in the loss. The Cavaliers received 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists from Evan Mobley.
In other games, it was the Nets 116, Hornets 115; Nuggets 122, Grizzlies 110; Spurs 110, Thunder 104; Mavs 132, Pelicans 91; and Lakers 124, Jazz 118.
Nets 116, Hornets 115
Cameron Johnson racked up a season-high 34 points with a strong shooting effort from long range as Brooklyn captured a topsy-turvy game against Charlotte in New York.
Johnson made six 3-point baskets on 12 attempts as part of 11-for-20 shooting from the field. Jalen Wilson made five threes to finish with 17 points.
Down by three, the Hornets got possession with 5.1 seconds to play after Cody Martin blocked Trendon Watford’s shot. Charlotte’s Brandon Miller missed a 3-pointer, which was tipped in by Grant Williams to account for the final score. Miller pumped in 29 points and Miles Bridges had 21, but the Hornets lost for the fourth time in five games.
Nuggets 122, Grizzlies 110
Jamal Murray scored 27 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points and 11 rebounds and Russell Westbrook posted the 200th triple-double of his career to lead visiting Denver to an NBA Cup victory over Memphis.
Westbrook came off the bench to contribute 12 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. He is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles. The Nuggets, playing their third straight game without three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic (personal), gave coach Michael Malone his 432nd win, tying Doug Moe for the most in franchise history.
The Grizzlies were led by Santi Aldama, who tied a career high with 28 points and added 11 rebounds.
