Nets Drop Season Premiere in Cleveland

Anderson Varejao's basket with 28 seconds left -- off an assist from Kyrie Irving -- sent Cleveland to a 98-94 win on Wednesday night over the remodeled Brooklyn Nets in coach Mike Brown's first game back with the Cavaliers.

Varejao's jumper gave the Cavs a 93-91 lead, and Irving, who finished with 15 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, made four free throws in the final 14 seconds to help Cleveland put it away.

Brook Lopez scored 21 and Paul Pierce scored 17 in his first game for the Nets, who were without coach Jason Kidd. He's serving a two-game suspension for a driving-under-the-influence conviction. Kevin Garnett, another of Brooklyn's new pieces, had 10 rebounds.

Tristan Thompson led the Cavs with 18 points. Cleveland center Andrew Bynum, who missed all of last season for Philadelphia with knee problems, played in his first game in 17 months.

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