NBA: LeBron leads Cavaliers past Celtics 102-99 in season opener

Cleveland [Ohio], Oct 18 (ANI): LeBron James scored 29 points and 16 rebounds to go along with nine assists as the Cavaliers swept aside the Celtics 102-99.

It was James' most extensive action in three weeks as he was suffering from a sprained left ankle.

He also fed Kevin Love for a critical three-pointer with 46.3 second left to put the Cavs up 102-98.

Irving, who asked to be traded this summer after six seasons in Cleveland, had a chance to tie it with a 3-pointer at the horn but missed. Irving then shared a warm embrace with James, his teammate for three seasons.

Irving finished with 22 points for the Celtics, who overcame an 18-point deficit in the third and led with 2:04 left. Boston's guard was also called for a technical.

Hayward, who signed a four-year, 128 million dollars free agent contract with the Celtics this summer, was bumped by James while trying to catch an alley-oop pass with 6:45 left in the first quarter.

The forward's leg got twisted underneath him as he came back to the floor and snapped his ankle grotesquely.(ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI