ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The NBA returned to the Persian Gulf on Friday for the third consecutive year.
The preseason schedule for the 2023-24 season opened with the Boston Celtics beating the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in a matchup of the two most recent championship clubs.
The Celtics and Nuggets will finish their two-game set in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Payton Pritchard had a game-high 21 points for Boston.
Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic scored 14 for Denver and Russell Westbrook had 12 in his debut with the Nuggets.
