Celtics end losing skid; Nets squeak past Mavs
Cleveland — Ray Allen scored 22 points and Kevin Garnett added 18 as the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 86-83 on Tuesday to snap a five-game losing streak.
Boston, which couldn’t hold a 16-point lead in the first quarter, avoided its first six-game skid since dropping seven in a row from April 4-15, 2007.
Kyrie Irving returned from a bruised elbow that sidelined him late in the second quarter and led Cleveland with 24 points, 19 in the second half.
Irving hit two free throws with 1:21 remaining to give Cleveland an 81-80 lead. After Allen missed a 3-pointer, Garnett tipped Irving’s pass, leading to Allen’s dunk with 48.6 seconds left.
Nets 93, Mavs 92
At Dallas, Brook Lopez scored 38 points in only his third game back from a broken right foot, and made the go-ahead free throws with 42 seconds left for New Jersey.
Article continues after this advertisementThe two free throws by Lopez came right after the Mavericks had taken the lead with a 13-2 run after missing 14 consecutive field goals.
Article continues after this advertisementJason Kidd’s 3-pointer from the right wing only 6 seconds earlier had put Dallas ahead 92-91.
Bulls 99,
Hornets 95
At Chicago, Derrick Rose scored 32 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 19.4 seconds left, and Chicago closed with an 8-0 run.
Joakim Noah had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Bulls and Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng added 14 points apiece. Rose scored six points in Chicago’s final run.
Chris Kaman had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets and Trevor Ariza scored 16 points.
OTHER RESULTS: Kings 103, Jazz 96; Rockets 88, Raptors 85;Bucks 119, Wizards 118; Pacers 102, Golden State 78; 76ers 97, Pistons 68; Timberwolves 109, Clippers 97. /ap
