SHANGHAI — With the Nets losing their starting backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert in the opening minutes of Thursday’s preseason 114-111 win over the Lakers, it offered plenty of opportunities for other players.

Spencer Dinwiddie reminded why he’s one of the best backup point guards in the NBA. He came off the bench and led the way with a game-high 20 points and a team-high seven assists.

Taurean Prince — acquired in an offseason deal with Atlanta — continued to back up all the praise he has received as the potential surprise of the summer. He finished with 18 points, hit 4 of 6 from 3-point range and did yeoman’s work matching up against power forward Anthony Davis, holding the Lakers superstar to 16 points on 4 of 10 shooting.

With both Irving and LeVert out, the Nets didn’t have a natural point guard when Dinwiddie was off the floor. Unlike last season — when they had Shabazz Napier as a natural third lead guard — this roster lacks such a player.

Second-year pros Dzanan Musa (16 points, 4 of 6 from deep) and Theo Pinson split ball-handling duties when Dinwiddie sat.

The Nets had high expectations for Musa after drafting him with the No. 29 pick in the first round last season, viewing him as a top-20 talent. But shoulder woes stunted his development, and he spent most of the year in the G-League with Long Island. The 20-year-old is still the youngest player on the Nets roster and enjoyed a strong summer. He showed signs of that against the Lakers.

It was a close game, featuring nine ties and 11 lead changes. The last came on Musa’s 3-pointer to put Brooklyn ahead 108-106 with 3:57 left. Pinson’s free throws with 2:04 to play capped a 6-0 run and gave the Nets a 111-106 lead.

Zach Norvell Jr.’s foul shots pulled the Lakers even at 111-111 with 28 seconds to play.

Pinson then hit one of two at the line to put the Nets back up with 20.9 seconds remaining, and David Nwaba’s dunk iced it.

The Nets shot 20 of 41 from 3-point range, and their bench outscored the Lakers bench, 81-41.