BOSTON ? Gregg Popovich was calm and relaxed, even joking with the media before the game. The show of confidence was perhaps fueled by the fact that the Celtics has never beaten his team since 2011.
But it was a different outcome this time with Kyrie Irving at the helm of the Boston squad.
The All-Star point guard had 24 points and 6 assists to lead the Celtics to an exciting 108-94 win. Veteran Al Horford of the Dominican Republic contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds while Jaylen Brown added 18 points and 4 rebounds.
The first half was a see-saw battle, with the Spurs? perimeter shooting putting them in the driver?s seat until Irving took over.
The former Duke star punctuated his brilliant shot-making ability in the last 29 seconds of the second quarter with a strong drive to the basket versus Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge, making a three-point play.
Brandon Paul led the Spurs with 18 points from the bench and Rudy Gay with 14 for a losing cause.
The Celtics next meet the Sacramento Kings in Wednesday, November 1.
