The Rundown: Markkanen goes for 49, Celtics roll past Mavs

Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 49, while the Celtics bounced back with a win over the Mavericks.

Scoreboard

Grizzlies 123, Magic 115
Celtics 124, Mavericks 95
Jazz 131, Rockets 114
Nuggets 122, Clippers 91

What went down

Just a few days ago, the Boston Celtics suffered an embarrassing 150-117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder who were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

But they bounced back in a huge way today.

Against fellow MVP candidate Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum notched a triple-double (29 points, 14 boards, and 10 assists) to lead the Celtics to a blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Boston limited Doncic to just 23 points on 7 of 23 shooting. Before this loss, the Mavs star had been averaging 44.5 points in the previous five games.

The Celtics never fell behind after the middle of the opening period and by the start of the fourth quarter were already up by 24 points.

Boston improved to 27-12 while Dallas, which had its seven-game winning streak snapped, slid to 22-17.

Big-time baller

The Utah Jazz scored a huge win over the Houston Rockets behind a superb effort from Lauri Markkanen.

The Jazz star had himself a night, scoring a career-high 49 points, 18 of which came in the first quarter. He knocked down six 3-pointers, made all of his 13 free throws, and grabbed eight rebounds.

Lauri Markkanen went OFF in the Jazz W:

49 PTS (career-high)
8 REB
6 Threes

The eighth 40+ point game of January so far 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jOgre6DgIl
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2023

What he said

After leading the Celtics to a win, Jayson Tatum doesn't seem fazed that he's currently fourth in the voting among frontcourt players in the East.

"I got my work cut out for me. ... I think regardless all four of us will be in Utah."

Jayson Tatum weighs in on the All-Star voting race between him, KD, Embiid & Giannis ?? pic.twitter.com/Tt8kHRE5nR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2023

Did you see that?

Speaking of the NBA All-Star fan voting, the league released the first returns today. Leading the voting are LeBron James of the Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Nets.

LeBron and KD lead their conferences in the first #NBAAllStar Fan Voting Returns ?? pic.twitter.com/yqJ1OwJohx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 5, 2023

The Rundown: Markkanen goes for 49, Celtics roll past Mavs

Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 49, while the Celtics bounced back with a win over the Mavericks.

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The Rundown: Markkanen goes for 49, Celtics roll past Mavs

Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 49, while the Celtics bounced back with a win over the Mavericks.

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