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.

In a comeback win over the Nuggets, the Celtics were 20 of 61 on threes, which would have been a franchise record for attempts in a regular-season game.

The Boston Celtics (with a whole lot of help from their rotation players) took care of business against the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena.