LOS ANGELES: Jayson Tatum scored 31 factors because the Boston Celtics held off a late fightback from the Milwaukee Bucks to win 122-119 of their top-of-table Jap Convention conflict on Wednesday (Mar 20).
Boston had cruising in direction of their seventh straight victory after dominating Milwaukee for lengthy durations on the TD Backyard.
Exploiting the absence of injured Bucks talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Celtics surged right into a 21-point lead late within the third quarter after Milwaukee had closed to inside 5 simply after half-time.
However a blistering fourth quarter efficiency by Milwaukee – who outscored the Celtics 36-21 within the closing body – arrange a nerve-shredding finale earlier than Boston squeaked house.
“It was ugly,” Tatum admitted. “We did not play the way in which we wished to within the fourth quarter, they usually went on a run.
“No lead is protected within the NBA. However a win is a win and we’ll take it.”
Boston improved to 55-14 with the victory, leaving them a hefty 11 video games away from the second-placed Bucks.
The Celtics now want simply three extra wins to be assured of high seeding and residential court docket benefit via the playoffs.
Even permitting for the fourth quarter wobble, few would guess in opposition to them returning to the NBA Finals in June after a efficiency which as soon as once more showcased their balanced offense.
“LONG WAY TO GO”
5 Boston gamers completed with double-digit factors tallies, together with Derrick White (23), Jaylen Brown (21) and Kristaps Porzingis (17). Payton Pritchard added 19 off the bench.
“We have simply obtained a extremely full staff,” Tatum informed ESPN.
“We have been enjoying nice all season, however we have nonetheless obtained an extended solution to go,” Tatum stated.
“I like the way in which that we’re trending, however we’re simply targeted on getting higher each single day.
“We’re not seeking to the playoffs. We have a sport on Friday in opposition to Detroit – and that is the mindset that we have got to have.”
With Antetokounmpo absent, Milwaukee’s problem was spearheaded by Damian Lillard, who completed with 32 factors whereas Bobby Portis added 24 off the bench.
In different video games on Wednesday, Kevin Durant surpassed Shaquille O’Neal to maneuver into eighth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring checklist because the Phoenix Suns eased previous the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102.
Durant, eight factors behind O’Neal’s tally of 28,596 factors earlier than the sport, drained a bounce shot within the third quarter to maneuver previous the previous Los Angeles Lakers icon.
“Effectively deserved,” O’Neal stated in a video message to Durant. “It would not cease right here … If anyone was gonna cross me, it was positively gonna be you.”
Durant completed the evening with 22 factors, whereas Grayson Allen led the Suns scoring with 32 factors together with 9 three-pointers.
In San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors bounced again from Monday’s defeat to the New York Knicks at hand the Memphis Grizzlies a 137-116 drubbing.
The Warriors improved to 36-32 and stay tenth within the West.
BUTLER REMINDER
In Cleveland, the Miami Warmth produced a barnstorming finale to pip the Cavaliers 107-104.
Miami led for many of the sport however Cleveland crept right into a four-point lead with 1min 34sec remaining within the fourth.
The Warmth’s Terry Rozier rattled off 9 factors within the closing phases together with an important 26-foot three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to revive Miami’s benefit and see the guests house.
Rozier completed with 24 factors whereas Jimmy Butler led Miami’s scorers with 30.
“That is a very powerful factor, simply getting the win,” Rozier stated.
“My team-mates and coaches do a terrific job of reminding me each day, night-in, night-out, who I’m and simply to be that. Comfortable we obtained the win.”
Miami improved to 38-31 with the victory and sit in seventh place within the East. Cleveland stay third within the desk at 43-26.
The Sacramento Kings eased previous the Toronto Raptors 123-89, whereas the Indiana Pacers swatted apart Detroit 122-103.
Western Convention leaders Oklahoma Metropolis breezed previous the Utah Jazz 119-107, with Chet Holmgren (35) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) combining for 66 factors.
