Edwards’ 3s in the 3rd send Celtics to perfect preseason

From Larry Bird to Ray Allen, the Boston Celtics have suited up some of the best perimeter shooters in NBA history.

None of them ever had a hotter hand from behind the arc in a quarter than rookie Carsen Edwards on Tuesday night.

Edwards made eight 3-pointers and scored 26 points in the third period, leading the Celtics to a 118-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to complete an unbeaten preseason.

The Philadelphia 76ers also are 4-0, though their success isn’t surprising because they’re expected to be one of the best teams in the league.

Edwards’ performance was a surprise, because there have been few like it in any game, no matter whether it counted in standings.

The second-round pick from Purdue was 8 for 11 behind the arc in the third quarter, all in just under nine minutes.

Bird has raved about some of Klay Thompson’s shooting performances, and the Golden State All-Star is the only player who ever made more 3s in one quarter. He hit nine during his 37-point third quarter — also a record — against Sacramento on Jan. 23, 2015.

Edwards finished 9 of 15 from 3-point range and scored 30 points.

CELTICS 118, CAVALIERS 95

Tremont Waters added 24 points, matching Edwards from the field at 10-of-16 shooting, and seven assists while Boston rested most of its regulars.

Collin Sexton led the Cleveland (1-3) starters with 20 points. Darius Garland, the No. 5 overall pick in June, added 16.

76ERS 106, PISTONS 86

Joel Embiid scored 20 of Philadelphia’s 51 first-half points and finished with 24 points and eight rebounds as the 76ers and Pistons played short-handed.

Ben Simmons (back), James Ennis (calf) and Al Horford (rest) did not play for Philadelphia (4-0). Blake Griffin (hamstring), Andre Drummond (rest) and Markieff Morris (bronchitis) all sat out for Detroit (2-2).

Tobias Harris added 10 points, all in the first half, for Philadelphia, and rookie Matisse Thybulle had seven points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Norvel Pelle added five blocks.

Christian Wood scored 19 points for Detroit and Tony Snell added 17. The teams combined to make just 12 of 50 from 3-point range.

TIMBERWOLVES 119, PACERS 111

Karl-Anthony Towns had 33 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks to lead Minnesota.

Robert Covington added 10 points and 19 boards, and each Minnesota (2-2) starter scored at least nine points.

Domantas Sabonis had 11 points and 13 rebounds in the first half for Indiana (3-1). No other starter for the Pacers reached double-digit scoring.