UNDATED (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 37 points and the Boston Celtics beat Los Angeles 130-108 in Lakers star LeBron James’ return.
Marcus Smart had 22 points and Dennis Schroder 21 for Boston, which climbed back to .500. Tatum had 11 rebounds and Al Horford added 18 points.
James finished with 23 points after missing eight games with an abdominal strain. The Lakers went 3-5 while he was sidelined.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
— The Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 11, rallying to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-104. Phoenix was just so-so for the first three quarters before playing its best basketball in the final 12 minutes. Mikal Bridges and Devin Booker each scored 19 points, while Chris Paul added 18 points and 14 assists.
— The Nuggets were missing reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic, and the Chicago Bulls took advantage, winning in Denver for the first time since 2006. Zach LaVine scored 12 of his 36 points in a pivotal stretch of the fourth quarter, and DeMar DeRozan hit eight straight late free throws for a 114-108 victory.
— James Harden had 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame a 19-point deficit and the absence of Kevin Durant to beat the Orlando Magic 115-113. Durant did not play due to a right shoulder sprain.
— Jordan Poole stepped up in Stephen Curry’s absence as Golden State beat the Detroit Pistons 105-102. Poole scored 22 of his season-high 32 points in the first half. Curry sat out with a bruised hip.
— The Milwaukee Bucks withstood Oklahoma City’s comeback attempt and to beat the Thunder 96-89. Milwaukee never trailed but nearly allowed Oklahoma City to come all the way back from a 20-point deficit. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 21 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists.
— Charlotte has run its win streak to five games, beating the Indiana Pacers 121-118. LaMelo Ball had a season-high 32 points along with 11 rebounds and eight assists.
— The New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 94-81. After challenging the Pelicans to “grow up” after they’d blown double-digit leads at Washington and Miami earlier this week, Josh Hart had 19 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.
— The Toronto Raptors continued their recent dominance in Sacramento, thumping the Kings 108-89. Pascal Siakam scored 18 of his season-high 32 points in the first half and Gary Trent Jr. had 23 points as the Raptors ended a three-game skid.
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Season over for Cavs’ Sexton
UNDATED (AP) — Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton’s season is over.
Cleveland’s leading scorer tore cartilage in his left knee earlier this month and the team says he underwent surgery on Wednesday.
In other NBA news:
— The Dallas Mavericks will retire Dirk Nowitzki’s No. 41 when Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors visit in January. Nowitzki is the franchise leader in points, games, starts, minutes, rebounds, 3-pointers, free throws and blocks.
— Pelicans reserve small forward Didi Louzada has been suspended 25 games for violating the the NBA’s performance enhancing drug rules.
