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Dallas (United States) (AFP) – The Boston Celtics came off their slump Thursday as Jayson Tatum’s 29-point triple-double propelled them to a 124-95 win over Luka Doncic and his Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.
The Celtics have the best record in the NBA, but they had lost back to back and knew things needed to change.
“It was rough the other day,” Tatum said in a sideline interview following the Celtics’ loss to the lowly Thunder in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
Tatum added that “we’ve lost two in a row, but we had a responsibility to fight back, to play better. Those last two games didn’t define our season. We’re one of the best teams and we just had to go out and play the way we know how.” .”
Tatum added 14 rebounds and 10 assists in only the second “triple-double” of his career.
Teammate Jaylen Brown scored 19 points for the Celtics, which ended the Mavericks’ seven-game hitting streak.
Tatum said the Celtics’ defensive strategy under Doncic “was just trying to make it difficult for him.” “Obviously he’s a great player who can get any shot he wants.”
After averaging 46.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10 assists in the previous five games, Doncic had 23 points and missed the entire fourth quarter after the Celtics took a 24-point lead in the final fourth.
The Slovenian star, who appeared to be hampered by pain in his left ankle, made seven of his 23 shots from the field and missed all six of his 3-point attempts.
Despite the loss, the Mavs remained in fourth place in the West.
The Memphis Grizzlies kept the pressure on the Denver Nuggets atop the West with a 123-115 win over the Magic in Orlando.
All-Star Ja Morant scored 32 points and Jaren Jackson added 31 for the Grizzlies, who led by 25 midway through the third quarter.
A late push from the Magic wasn’t enough, despite 30 points from the No. 1 pick. 1 of Orlando, Paolo Banchero.
The win moved the Grizzlies briefly past the Nuggets, who then regained their spot by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 122-91.
In Houston, Finn Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 49 points as he led the Utah Jazz to a 131-114 victory over the Rockets.
Utah snapped a five-game losing streak to remain in 10th place in the West.
For the Rockets, Jalen Green stood out with 30 points and Turkish Alperen Sengun with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
– Thursday results in the NBA:
Memphis in Orlando 123-115
Utah to Houston 131-114
Boston to Dallas 124-95
Denver vs Los Angeles Clippers 122-91
© 2023 AFP
