Irving helps Celtics get past pesky Nets

The Boston Celtics squandered several opportunities to put away the pesky Brooklyn Nets before Kyrie Irving ended the comebacks.

Irving scored 28 points, hitting a pair of free throws with 7.7 seconds left after his teammates struggled from the line, and the host Celtics held off the Nets 108-105 on Sunday.

“You’ve got to give credit to just how talented that team is. They play extremely hard for all 48 minutes,” said Irving, who also had eight rebounds. “We had to take the challenge on every single possession.”

Al Horford had 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, and Marcus Morris had 15 points as Boston closed 2017 by winning three straight and four of five.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who could not overcome 10 turnovers in the second half.

Dallas 116, at Oklahoma City 113:

Harrison Barnes scored 24 points and Dennis Smith Jr. got 11 of his 19 points in the final 1 minute 39 secondsa to help the Mavericks get their season-best fourth straight win. Dallas won despite Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook recording his 12th triple-double of the season with 38 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists.

at Washington 114, Chicago: 110:

Bradley Beal scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Wizards to a victory. Beal scored 15 straight points in the fourth as the Wizards rallied from an eight-point deficit in the period. He also had nine rebounds and tied a career high with nine assists.

Minnesota 107, at Indiana 90:

Jimmy Butler had 26 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves, who handed the Pacers their fourth straight loss. Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks, and Taj Gibson added 17 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota.

Memphis 114, at Sacramento 96:

All 13 players scored for the Grizzlies, including Tyreke Evans, who had 26 points and seven rebounds against his former team. The Grizzlies scored 35 points in the first quarter and led by 14 or more at the end of every quarter.

Philadelphia 123, at Phoenix 110:

Dario Saric tied a season high with 27 points for the76ers, who won despite blowing an 18-point lead in one quarter. Devin Booker scored 28 of his 32 points in the second half for the Suns.

at Houston 148, Lakers 142 (2OT) at Clippers 106, Charlotte 98