Aron Baynes would be a relieved man after Boston's 95-94 NBA win over Toronto was achieved without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving.
The Celtics made it 12th-straight victories despite Irving's absence after he took an inadvertent elbow to the face from teammate Baynes in Friday night's win against Charlotte.
Irving has a minor facial fracture but has not been diagnosed with a concussion as initially feared. He visited a facial specialist on Sunday and was fitted for a mask.
Al Horford had 24 points in his return from a two-game absence due to a concussion as Boston improved their league-best record to 12-2.
Australian big man Baynes had an off shooting night, making just one of six, for three points but had an equal game-high eight rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points and Kyle Lowry had 19 points and seven rebounds for Toronto, who dropped to 7-5.
"They are the best team in the NBA right now, 12 in a row," Lowry said.
"They're playing unbelievable, everyone is picking up slack."
DeRozan missed a potential go-ahead step-back jumper with 19 seconds remaining and had another look to give Toronto the win, but missed a turnaround jumper with second seconds remaining.
Houston powered past Indiana 118-95 on the back of 26 points and 15 assists from James Harden.
Eric Gordon had 21 points for the 11-3 Rockets while Clint Capela had 20 points and 17 rebounds.
"It was a professional win," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said.
"They came in and they took care of business right from the get go. We played well."
Victor Oladipo had 28 points and Domantas Sabonis added 17 off the bench for the well-beaten Pacers.
Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Avery Bradley added 24 points in Detroit's 112-103 victory over Miami.
At 10-3, they are second behind Boston in the Eastern Conference and off to their best start since 2005/06.
Hassan Whiteside had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat..
Paul George scored 37 points and Russell Westbrook added 27 in Oklahoma City's 112-99 win over Dallas.
Despite the unavailability of Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams due to injury, the Thunder cruised past the Mavericks to improve to 6-7.
Harrison Barnes had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Dallas who slumped to 2-12.
Share
