Irving, balanced Celtics overcome Booker’s 38, Phoenix

BOSTON — With Boston in danger of blowing a big fourthquarter lead, Kyrie Irving stepped up again for the Celtics.

Irving had a key 3-pointer and a driving basket in the closing two minutes, helping Boston hold off the Phoenix Suns for a 116-111 victory on Saturday.

“Kyrie’s ability to make those shots with very little space is pretty impressive,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “We put ourselves in a bad spot after that fourthquarter run.”

Irving finished with 19 points, leading a balanced attack for NBA-leading Boston (20-4). Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris each scored 17 points, Jayson Tatum had 15 and Al Horford added 14 points and a career-best 11 assists.

Devin Booker scored a seasonhigh 38 points for Phoenix in his first game at TD Garden since he put up 70 against the Celtics on March 24. T.J. Warren had 19 points, and Tyson Chandler finished with 14 points and 18 rebounds.

CAVALIERS 116, GRIZZLIES

111: In Cleveland, LeBron James scored 34 points, including seven in the final 1:22, and Cleveland beat Memphis for its 11th straight victory.

Memphis has lost 11 in a row, including three since David Fizdale was fired Monday and replaced by interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

76ERS 108, PISTONS 103: In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid had 25 points and 10 rebounds and got the better of Andre Drummond down the stretch in a matchup of trash-talking big men to help Philadelphia beat Detroit.

Embiid drew the fifth and sixth fouls on Drummond and drew cheers as he waved goodbye to his fouled-out rival in between hitting four free throws to put Philadelphia ahead 100-95 with 2:35 left.

NUGGETS 115, LAKERS 100: In Denver, Jamal Murray had 28 points, Will Barton scored 13 of his 16 points in the final 7:44, and Denver scored the game’s final 15 points to beat Los Angeles.

Brandon Ingram led the Lakers with 20 points and Brook Lopez had 15 points.

BUCKS 109, KINGS 104: In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and Milwaukee held off Sacramento.

PELICANS 123, TRAIL BLAZERS 116: In Portland, Ore., DeMarcus Cousins scored 38 points to lift New Orleans to a win over Portland.

MAVERICKS 108, CLIPPERS 82 : In Dallas, J.J. Barea had 21 points and 10 assists, and the Mavericks beat the Clippers for coach Rick Carlisle’s 700th career win.

HAWKS 114, NETS 102: In New York, Dennis Schroder scored 24 points and reserve Luke Babbitt had 20, leading the Hawks to the victory.