Boston, the NBA’s overall leader, unleashed a devastating and historic performance on Sunday, defeating the Golden State Warriors 140-88 and extending the Celtics’ 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 stated. “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 extended its league-best record to 48-12, while Golden State fell to 32-28, ranking sixth in the West.
“We have plenty of experience. “We’ve grown and matured,” Brown stated. “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 lost 89-88 at home against the Los Angeles Clippers, falling out of first place in the West.
Kawhi Leonard’s two free throws with 13 seconds left gave the Clippers an 89-86 lead. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards went to the rim for a slam with three seconds left but never recovered the ball.
Leonard led the Clippers with 32 points, while James Harden went 0-for-10 from the field, 0-for-6 from three, and scored only four points.
Edwards led Minnesota with 27 points.
Doncic thrives during defeat.
The visiting Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-116, despite Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s triple double.
Tobias Harris scored 28 points, Tyrese Maxey added 24, and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 21 off the bench for the Sixers (35-25), who are still missing injured reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
Doncic finished with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for Dallas, which fell to 34-27 and sixth in the Western Conference. Kyrie Irving added 28 points.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 28 points in Cleveland, while Josh Hart had a triple double with 13 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists to help New York defeat the Cavaliers 107-98.
Jalen Brunson of New York was injured in the first few seconds of the game, gripping his left knee and limping off the court, adding to the three top forwards who have been benched.
Donovan Mitchell was out for the Cavaliers with a strained left knee.
French rookie Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 117-105 victory over visiting Indiana, scoring 31 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out six assists and six blocked shots.
R.J. Barrett scored 23 points and Immanuel Quickley added 22 points and 11 assists as Toronto defeated visiting Charlotte 111-106.
Paolo Banchero scored 29 points to lead Orlando to a 113-91 home win over Detroit.
