The Celtics stormed the State Farm Arena in Atlanta to achieve their 47th win of the season at the expense of the Hawks with a final score of 134-125, in another spectacular night for the “Jays”: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Tatum led the offense with 34 points and 15 rebounds, seconded by Brown (24), Derrick White (18) and Malcolm Brogdon (18), the latter coming off the bench; while for the defeated, Trae Young stood out (35 points and 13 assists).
With this success, Boston reduced the difference with the leader, Milwaukee, to a game and a half, which fell 116-125 against the champion of the previous season, the Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry (36 points), Klay Thompson (22) and Donte DiVecenzo (20).
For the Bucks, the best were Brook Lopez (19), Khris Middleton (19) and Jrue Holiday (18), but this time they could not succeed without their star, the Greek Giannis Antetokoumpo, absent for the third consecutive game.
The Memphis Grizzlies reached their 40th victory by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 112-108 in a game characterized by key absences: Ja Morant for the winners, while the Mavs did not have Kyrie Irving or Luka Doncic.
Desmond Bane (25) and David Roddy (24) guided Memphis to success, which keeps them tied for second place in the Eastern Circuit with the Sacramento Kings; while Tim Hardaway (23), Jaden Hardy (22) and Josh Green (21) could not prevent Dallas’ loss.
And the Kings also filed their 40th smile in this regular stage of the championship, by disposing of the Phoenix Suns 128-119, thanks to the contribution of three of their starters: Harrison Barnes (19), De’Aaron Fox (18) and Domantas Sabonis ( 17), in addition to the always useful sixth man of the franchise, Malik Monk, with 18 cards coming off the bench.
Among the Suns, Devin Booker (28 points), DeAndre Ayton (22 points and 12 rebounds) and veteran Chris Paul (16 scored and 16 assists) stood out again.
From an individual point of view, Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers) and Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat) also stood out during the day, both with a contribution of 38 points for their teams, the highest of the day, although the second could not prevent a costly loss to the Orlando Magic.
Saturday results:
— Los Angeles Clippers 106– New York Knicks 95
— Orlando Magic 126– Miami Heat 114
— Charlotte Hornets 111– Utah Jazz 119
— Detroit Pistons 115– Indiana Pacers 121
— Atlanta Hawks 125– Boston Celtics 134
— Memphis Grizzlies 112– Dallas Mavericks 108
— Houston Rockets 111– Chicago Bulls 119
— Golden State Warriors 125– Milwaukee Bucks 116
— New Orleans Pelicans 96– Oklahoma City Thunder 110
— Phoenix Suns 119– Sacramento Kings 128
jha/jcm
