Mavericks 127, Celtics 120

Klay Thompson scored 25 points, Daniel Gafford gave the Mavericks 15 rebounds in what could be his last start at center for a while and Dallas beat Boston in their NBA Finals rematch.

With recently acquired big man Anthony Davis out with an abdominal strain and cheering on his new teammates from the bench, the Mavericks led by 27 points in the second half. Spencer Dinwiddie added 22 points off the bench.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla put in his bench, and they unexpectedly pulled within single digits in the final minute.

Jaylen Brown, who won the NBA Finals MVP in June while leading Boston to a five-game victory over Dallas, scored 25 points and Jayson Tatum had 17. Payton Pritchard scored 21 to lead the second-string rally.

Davis’ anticipated debut with Dallas after he was acquired on Sunday for five-time All-NBA first-teamer Luka Doncic will have to wait until at least Saturday.

Irving had a slow start, with just four points in the first half. But with just under 10 minutes left he pulled up for a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Mavericks a 114-90 lead – their biggest of the game. After a timeout, Irving hit another 3 – this one a second-chance basket from

Nuggets 112, Magic 90

Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his 24th triple-double of the season, Michael Porter Jr. added 30 points and Denver won its fifth in a row by beating Orlando.

Christian Braun finished with 16 points for a Nuggets team that saw the trade deadline come and go without making a move. The Nuggets had the game so well in hand that Jokic didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Porter turned in another electric offensive performance by hitting 11 of 16 shots, including five 3-pointers. It’s his third straight game with 30 or more points.

Wendell Carter Jr. led the Magic with 19 points, and Paolo Banchero added 18. Orlando was outscored 33-17 in the third quarter.

Both teams played the night before. The Nuggets routed New Orleans 144-119 at home while the Magic beat Sacramento 130-111.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope received an ovation and a video tribute in his return to Denver. Caldwell-Pope spent two seasons with the Nuggets, helping them to the 2023 NBA title, before leaving for Orlando last summer. He had seven points.

J ulian Strawther made his first NBA start and had two points on 1 of 8 shooting. He was starting in place of Jamal Murray, who had inflammation in his left knee.