The star player from Boston also secured 14 rebounds and provided five assists, contributing to the Celtics’ fifth consecutive victory, bringing their season record to 42 wins and 12 losses. Jaylen Brown contributed 19 points, while Al Horford and Derrick White each scored 16. Boston now enjoys a six-game lead at the summit of the Eastern Conference. Tatum showcased his scoring prowess with 31 points in the first half, propelling the Celtics to a lead of up to 23 points in the third quarter before a spirited comeback by Brooklyn in the fourth quarter
.
In another match, despite missing key players Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, and Josh Richardson, the undermanned Miami Heat dominated the Milwaukee Bucks 123-97 in Wisconsin, excelling particularly from three-point range with 19 successful attempts out of 40. Nicola Jovic led the scoring with 24 points, supported by Duncan Robinson’s impressive six three-pointers in a 23-point performance. The Bucks remain in third place in the East, while the Heat are seventh, trailing by just half a game for a playoff spot.
Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased stellar performances as the Oklahoma City Thunder comfortably defeated the Orlando Magic 127-113, overcoming an early 11-point deficit to secure victory. Williams scored 33 points, while Gilgeous-Alexander, a contender for NBA Most Valuable Player, contributed 32 points to the convincing win.
Despite a strong showing from Anthony Edwards, who scored 41 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves maintain their lead in the Western Conference with a 121-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin Durant led the Phoenix Suns to a thrilling 130-125 victory over the Sacramento Kings, despite De’Aaron Fox’s 40-point effort and a 35-point triple-double from Domantas Sabonis. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers had a comfortable 125-111 win over the struggling Detroit Pistons, with LeBron James leading the charge with 25 points.