Clippers 109, Nuggets 104
James Harden had 23 points and 16 assists, Norman Powell scored 26 of his 37 points in the second half and Los Angeles overcame Nikola Jokic’s 41 points to beat the Denver Nuggets 109-104 on Saturday.
Jokic made a career-high seven 3-pointers but missed a free throw with 20 seconds left that would have tied the game. Harden made four from the line in the final 30.5 seconds.
The Clippers trailed 103-100 when Powell hit a 3-pointer. Jamal Murray, who had 22 points, missed a layup and Harden then made two free throws.
After Jokic split a pair from the line, Harden made two more foul shots to make it 107-104 and Jokic missed an off-balance 3-pointer.
Celtics 124, Pistons 118
Jayson Tatum scored six of his 37 points in the final 65 seconds and Boston held on for a victory over Detroit.
The Celtics led by as many as 23 points in the first half, but trailed for much of the third quarter. Jrue Holiday tied the game with back-to-back 3-pointers, and Tatum put the Celtics up 116-114 by hitting a pair of free throws with 1:05 left.
The Pistons missed two shots on the ensuing possession and Tatum’s jumper made it 118-114 with 29 seconds left.
Malik Beasley’s 3-pointer pulled Detroit within one, but Derrick White hit two free throws and Boston clinched the game from the line.
Cavaliers 135, Wizards 116
Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points, Jarrett Allen added 23 while going 10 for 10 from the floor and Cleveland eased to a victory over Washington.
Darius Garland also had 23 points, and Evan Mobley scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Cleveland remained perfect three games into their new season.
Heat 114, Hornets 106
Jimmy Butler scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Tyler Herro added five 3-pointers and 22 points and Miami spoiled Charlotte’s home opener.
Terry Rozier had 19 points and Bam Adebayo finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for Miami . Butler added eight assists and eight rebounds.
LaMelo Ball had 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Hornets, who looked out of sync with 20 turnovers, and twice were whistled for 5-second calls after failing to get the ball in on side inbound plays.