ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) 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. The Celtics and Nuggets will finish their two-game set in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Payton Pritchard had a game-high 21 points for Boston. Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic scored 14 for Denver and Russell Westbrook had 12 in his debut with the Nuggets.