Scoreboard
Knicks 121, Wizards 105
Celtics 118, Pacers 101
Jazz 120, 76ers 109
Rockets 112, Bucks 108
Tatum, Brown deliver Celtics show on the road
The Boston Celtics were up by as many as 16 before halftime during their Saturday game in Indiana against the Pacers.
That quickly whittled down to two points in the third quarter with Jayson Tatum and Derrick White getting into foul trouble, while Kristaps Porzingis was nursing an eye injury.
It was then that Jaylen Brown willed the Cs in the second half.
He made nine of his 31 points in the third frame to keep Boston up, 84-81, heading into the final quarter.
And when Brown re-entered in the last seven minutes, he just had fun.
There was a running alley-oop from Al Horford, a nasty block, free throws, and a running dunk to top it all off.
He made a total of 31 points, along with four rebounds, a steal, and a block in 36 minutes of action.
A Tatum pull-up three from 32 feet with one minute and 17 seconds remaining sealed the game for the Celtics, 118-101.Brown throws it down🫡🔨 pic.twitter.com/vCWLFRlJgx
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2024
JT's 8th three was the dagger making this tonight's @JetBlue Play of the Game 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JBDld3lwyO
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2024
He made a game-high 38 points, while also covering the defensive end with 13 rebounds, along with six assists and a steal.
His 13 boards were the highest for the game, and five more than any other player.
But despite his monster night, Tatum made sure to give his flowers to Al Horford, who recorded 10 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
"We just can't keep taking him for granted. Best teammate I ever had. Ultimate professional, and somebody we can count on night-in and night-out, and he proved that again tonight," Tatum said after the game, as reported by Marc D'Amico.
Boston improved to 28-7, while Indiana dropped to 20-15.
Rockets blast Antetokounmpo's 48-point explosion
Giannis Antetokounmpo seriously gave it his all on Saturday, when he dropped 48 points and 17 rebounds against the Houston Rockets.
Giannis gave it his all.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 7, 2024
48 PTS | 17 REB | 64% FG pic.twitter.com/2oyJZltNnR
That is his sixth 40-point game of the season, worthy of a man leading the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Voting.
But it was wiped out by the whole team effort from the Rockets, led by Alperen Sengun's 21 points and 11 rebounds.
And it wouldn't be a Houston game without Jalen Green taking flight with this beautiful dish from Fred VanVleet.
HE CAN FLY 🚀 @FredVanVleet | @JalenGreen pic.twitter.com/3NNjvi9SwT
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 7, 2024
Overall, four Houston starters scored double-digits, reinforced by a bench which added 43.
The Rockets improved to 18-16, while the Bucks sit at 25-11
