Jayson Tatum scored 41 factors in a stunning show because the Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 118-110 to increase their lead on the prime of the NBA’s Japanese Convention.
The Boston star additionally claimed 14 rebounds and 5 assists to assist the Celtics to a fifth straight win to take them to 42-12 on the season.
Jaylen Brown added 19 factors, with 16 every for Al Horford and Derrick White.
Boston are actually six video games clear on the prime of the East.
Tatum scored 31 of his factors within the first half and the Celtics led by as many as 23 within the third quarter earlier than Brooklyn fought again within the fourth to make a recreation of it.
In the meantime, an under-strength Miami Warmth thrashed the Milwaukee Bucks 123-97 in Wisconsin.
Miami had been with out Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson however shot brilliantly from three-point vary, making 19 out of 40 from past the arc, to cruise to victory.
Nicola Jovic top-scored with 24 and Duncan Robinson made six threes in a 23-point efficiency.
The Bucks keep third within the East with the Warmth seventh, half a recreation out of the play-off locations.
Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had been in high-quality type as soon as once more as Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder claimed a snug 127-113 win over Orlando Magic.
Orlando led by 11 within the first quarter however the Thunder responded and 33 factors for Williams and 32 for NBA Most Precious Participant candidate Gilgeous-Alexander led them to a convincing victory.
Minnesota Timberwolves keep a recreation forward of Oklahoma Metropolis on the prime of Western Convention, although, after Anthony Edwards’ 41 factors took them to a 121-109 triumph on the Portland Path Blazers.
Kevin Durant scored 28 factors because the Phoenix Suns received an thrilling back-and-forth contest in opposition to the Sacramento Kings 130-125.
The lead modified arms 17 instances – however regardless of De’Aaron Fox scoring 40 and a 35-point triple-double for Domantas Sabonis for the Kings, Phoenix got here out on prime.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a simple 125-111 win over the struggling Detroit Pistons, with LeBron James scoring 25 factors for the hosts.