Irving has season-high 43, Celtics beat Raptors
BOSTON — Kyrie Irving had a season-high 43 points, scoring 17 points in the last 8:06 of the fourth quarter to force overtime and then making or recording an assist on every basket in the extra period in the Boston Celtics’ 123-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Irving had 11 assists, and Jayson Tatum added 21 points and seven rebounds. Boston evened the season series at one game apiece against the only team to finish above it in the Eastern Conference last season. The home team has won nine straight matchups. PELICANS 129, KNICKS 124
In New Orleans, Anthony Davis scored a season-high 43 points and grabbed 17 rebounds and New Orleans overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat New York.
Julius Randle had 19 points and 11 rebounds, including a crucial put-back of Davis’ missed free throw to make it 124-121 with 1:23 left. 76ERS 113, JAZZ 107
In Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler scored 28 points in his home debut, Joel Embiid had 23 and Philadelphia beat Utah.
Acquired Monday from Minnesota in a five-player trade, Butler got a loud ovation during introductions and quickly made an impression as the Sixers built a 16-point lead in the first quarter.
JJ Redick had 16 points and Simmons had 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. NETS 115, WIZARDS 104
In Washington, Spencer Dinwiddie scored a season-best 25 points, D’Angelo Russell had 23 and Brooklyn beat Washington for its first victory since Caris LeVert’s gruesome foot injury.
The Nets had lost five straight in Washington and ended a threegame slide overall. Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 12 rebounds in his return after missing two games due to illness.
LeVert sustained what was originally feared to be a seasonending injury Monday. Doctors found no fractures, though, and he’s expected to avoid surgery and return from a dislocated foot. TIMBERWOLVES 112, TRAIL BLAZERS 96
In Minneapolis, Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points, Derrick Rose had 17 and Minnesota kept cruising without Jimmy Butler.
Robert Covington and KarlAnthony Towns each had 14 points. The Timberwolves are 7-1 at home and 3-0 since trading the disgruntled Butler to Philadelphia on Monday. GRIZZLIES 112, KINGS 104
In Memphis, Tenn., Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a season-high 27 points, and Marc Gasol added 19 points and 15 rebounds to become Memphis’ career rebounding leader.
Gasol has 5,613 career rebounds, passing the franchise record of 5,612 set by Zach Randolph. PACERS 99, HEAT 91
In Indianapolis, Tyreke Evans hit five 3-pointers and scored a season-high 23 points, leading Indiana past Miami.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 16 points and six rebounds, and Domantas Sabonis added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Josh Richardson scored 28 points for Miami, going 7 of 10 from 3-point range.