NBA’s Overall Leaders The Boston Celtics executed a devastating and historic performance on Sunday, defeating the Golden State Warriors 140-88 and extending their winning streak to 11 games.
It was the Celtics’ third-largest blowout victory, continuing a legacy that began in 1946.
Jaylen Brown of Boston scored 25 of his 29 points in a record-breaking first half, while Jayson Tatum, who celebrated his 26th birthday, scored 22 of his 27 points over the first two quarters of dominance.
“It is up there.” Great birthday. Tatum remarked, “I got to do what I love in front of the world’s best fans and win.”
The Celtics became the first NBA team to win three games by 50 points or more in a single season. The Celtics defeated Indiana 155-104 in November and Brooklyn 136-86 last month, both in Boston.
Despite Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis’ absence due to a left quad bruise, the home Celtics took an 82-38 lead after the second quarter, their best half-time advantage in team history and the Warriors’ largest half-time deficit.
“It was a lot of fun,” Boston’s Derrick White said.
“That was a good start. “You never expect that to happen.”
The Celtics scored 10 3-pointers in the first quarter, the most in any quarter this season, and finished with a 23-1 run over six minutes to take command at 44-22.
The Warriors shot 34.9% (15-of-43) in the first half, 3-of-18 from 3-point range, and committed eight turnovers, whilst the Celtics shot 60% (30-of-50), 15-of-24 from beyond the arc, and committed only one turnover.
The top players saw minimal court time in the second half. Boston led 115-62 after three quarters, as the Celtics’ backups cruised to victory, improving to 29-3 at home this season.
Eastern Conference leader Boston improved the league’s best record to 48-12 while Golden State slid to 32-28, ninth in the Western Conference.
“We have a lot of experience. We’ve grown, we’ve matured,” Brown said, “We’re primed and we’re ready.
“There’s a lot of respect for the Golden State Warriors, but we feel like it’s our time now.”
The Minnesota Timberwolves (42-19) fell from the West lead after losing at home 89-88 to the Los Angeles Clippers while Oklahoma City (42-18) secured the top spot by winning at Phoenix 118-110.
Kawhi Leonard’s two free throws with 13 seconds remaining gave the Clippers an 89-86 lead. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards drove to the basket for a dunk with three seconds remaining but the T-Wolves never got the ball back.
Leonard led the Clippers with 32 points while Edwards led Minnesota with 27.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to lead Oklahoma City while Bradley Beal paced the Suns with 31 points and Jusuf Nurkic grabbed a club-record 31 rebounds for Phoenix.
At Dallas, Mavericks star Luka Doncic posted a triple double in a losing cause as the Philadelphia 76ers took a 120-116 triumph.
Tobias Harris scored 28 points, Tyrese Maxey added 24 and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 21 off the bench for the Sixers (35-25), who remain without injured reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
Slovenian Doncic finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while Kyrie Irving added 28 points for Dallas, which fell to 34-27, eighth in the West.
At Cleveland, Donte DiVincenzo scored 28 points and Josh Hart had a triple double with 13 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists to spark New York’s 107-98 victory over the host Cavaliers.
New York’s Jalen Brunson was hurt in the game’s opening seconds, holding his left knee before limping off the court — adding to injury issues that have benched three top forwards.
The Cavaliers were without Donovan Mitchell due to a sore left knee.
French rookie Victor Wembanyama scored 31 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and added six assists and six blocked shots to spark the San Antonio Spurs over visiting Indiana 117-105.
Be the first to comment