Boston, MA
Jayson Tatum’s 36 points lead Celtics past Kings 132-109
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jayson Tatum scored 36 factors and the Boston Celtics ended an extended highway journey on a excessive notice by beating the Sacramento Kings 132-109 on Tuesday night time.
Boston bounced again from blowing a 19-point lead in Utah on Saturday night time by knocking off one of many high groups within the Western Convention. It received 4 of six on the highway journey.
Jaylen Brown added 27 factors and Derrick White scored 20 to assist the Celtics open up a one-game lead over Philadelphia within the Atlantic Division.
Domantas Sabonis had 16 factors, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for the Kings, who misplaced consecutive video games for the primary time since Feb. 3-5. De’Aaron Fox scored 18 factors.
Sacramento fell 1 1/2 video games behind Memphis within the race for second place within the Western Convention. The Kings try to clinch their first playoff berth since 2006 — the longest postseason drought in NBA historical past.
Taking part in their fifth recreation in seven nights of their fourth time zone, the Kings supplied little defensive resistance for Boston.
The Celtics shot 53.3% from the sector, turned the ball over solely 5 instances and took management of the sport throughout a torrid capturing stretch popping out of halftime.
Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum (0) drives previous Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk through the first quarter of an NBA basketball recreation in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Credit score: AP/Randall Benton
Boston hit 10 of its first 11 photographs from the sector within the third quarter, scoring 27 factors in lower than six minutes to construct the lead as much as 14 factors on a 3-pointer by White.
The Kings by no means actually threatened after that.
The Celtics scored the ultimate 9 factors of the primary half on 3-pointers by Al Horford and Brown, and a three-point play by Tatum to take a 60-54 lead on the break.
TIP-INS
Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) shoots from between Boston Celtics middle Robert Williams III (44) and guard Derrick White (9) through the first quarter of an NBA basketball recreation in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Credit score: AP/Randall Benton
Celtics: C Robert Williams III (hamstring) returned after lacking the previous eight video games. He had six factors and 7 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench. He was additionally referred to as for a technical foul within the third quarter. … The Celtics had 22 assists earlier than committing their second turnover of the sport halfway by means of the third quarter.
Kings: Swingman Kevin Huerter (knee) missed his third straight recreation. … Keegan Murray’s 3-pointer within the first quarter gave him no less than one in 33 straight video games, tying the NBA rookie document held by Landry Shamet (2018-19) and Rudy Fernandez (2008-09). … Sabonis’ 12 triple-doubles are second within the league this season to Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who has 28.
UP NEXT
Celtics: Host Indiana on Friday night time.
Kings: Host Phoenix on Friday night time.