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BOSTON -- The defending NBA champions held off the league's hottest team on Tuesday night, with Jayson Tatum scoring 33 points and adding 12 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 120-117 victory over Cleveland and hand the Cavaliers their first loss after 15 consecutive victories to open the season.
Cleveland cut a 21-point deficit to two in the third quarter, and Donovan Mitchell hit a rainbow 3-pointer with 24 seconds left in the fourth to make it a four point game. Tatum sank one of two free throws, and then clobbered Mitchell at the other end, leaving the Cavaliers guard on the floor in need of medical attention.
Mitchell eventually stepped to the line and sank both free throws, but Boston inbounded the ball without trouble and passed it downcourt for an easy Al Horford dunk to clinch the victory.
Tatum connected on six of Boston's 22 3-pointers and added seven assists for the Celtics' third straight win.
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Mitchell scored 35 points, and Evan Mobley had 22 points and 11 rebounds for Cleveland, which was the fourth team in NBA history to open the season with 15 wins in a row. The 15-game win streak was the longest in franchise history.
NETS 116, HORNETS 115: Cam Johnson scored 34 points, Dennis Schroder had 14 points and 12 assists, and Brooklyn beat visiting Charlotte. Jalen Wilson scored 17 as the Nets snapped a three-game skid. Brandon Miller missed a 3-pointer for the Hornets that would have tied the game with 1.1 seconds left. Grant Williams then tipped the ball as time expired.
Trendon Watford scored the Nets' last seven points in the final two minutes and finished with 10 points off the bench. Miller had 29 points, Miles Bridges 21, and reserve Tre Mann 19 as Charlotte lost for the fourth time in five games.
NUGGETS 122, GRIZZLIES 110: Jamal Murray scored 27 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Denver snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating host Memphis. Russell Westbrook had 12 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets. Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with 28 points.
MAVERICKS 132, PELICANS 91: Luka Doncic returned after missing Sunday's game due to a knee injury and scored a gamehigh 26 points, Klay Thompson added 19, and Kyrie Irving had 18 as Dallas beat visiting New Orleans. Doncic shot 10 of 16 overall and 3 for 8 from 3-point range.
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