Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) blocks a shot by Brooklyn Nets' Trevor Booker (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) blocks a shot by Brooklyn Nets' Trevor Booker (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Credit: Frank Franklin II

New York — Kyrie Irving returned to the lineup and scored 25 points while wearing a mask, and the Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets, 109-102, on Tuesday night for their 13th straight victory.

The Celtics remained unbeaten since an 0-2 start heading into their showdown on Thursday in Boston against the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

Marcus Morris added 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jayson Tatum scored 19 points for the Celtics.

Irving missed one game with a minor facial fracture after he was hit by teammate Aron Baynes on Friday. He fiddled with the mask frequently, but it didn’t seem to affect his play much. He made a jumper with 3:40 left after the Nets had closed within four points and drove for another basket about 35 seconds later.

Boston then finally put it away with Jaylen Brown’s alley-oop feed to Tatum before Irving hit two free throws to make it 106-96.

Joe Harris scored 19 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Nets, who are without leading scorer D’Angelo Russell because of a bruised left knee. Allen Crabbe and Caris LeVert added 15 points apiece.

Raptors 129, Rockets 113

Houston — DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points as Toronto built a big lead in the first half and held on to beat Houston.

James Harden had 38 points and made 19 of 19 foul shots for the Rockets, who ended a six-game winning streak.

Spurs 97, Mavericks 91

Dallas — LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 32 points as San Antonio beat Dallas.

Gregg Popovich became the fastest NBA coach to 500 road wins. He got there in 835 away games, 41 fewer than Pat Riley.