AFP, LOS ANGELES
Jayson Tatum on Saturday exploded for 43 points in his first triple-double of the season as the NBA champions Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls 123-98 to avenge a defeat just days earlier.
Tatum added 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a dominant performance in Chicago, connecting on 16 of his 24 shot attempts and nine of 15 from three-point range.
Tatum’s third career triple-double was the first for a Celtics player that included 40 or more points since Hall of Famer Larry Bird scored 49 points with 14 rebounds and 12 assists against the Portland Trail Blazers in 1992.
The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, second right, dunks against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday.
Photo: AFP
“Larry Bird is probably the best player to ever wear this uniform,” Tatum said. “So any time you accomplish something in the same sentence as him, it’s something special, even if you never reach that pinnacle.”
Tatum’s was the first for the team that included 40 or more points and 15 or more rebounds, the franchise said. It was also his sixth straight double-double and 14th this season.
The Celtics improved to 22-6 to stay within sight of the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, who pushed their league-best record to 25-4 with a 126-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Elsewhere, LeBron James scored 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 103-99 to sweep a two-game set, while the Orlando Magic tied their largest comeback in franchise history in their 121-114 victory over the Miami Heat.
The Memphis Grizzlies downed the Atlanta Hawks 128-112, the Utah Jazz outplayed the Brooklyn Nets 105-94, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Washington Wizards 112-101, the Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-103, the New York Knicks dropped the New Orleans Pelicans 104-93, the Dallas Mavericks dominated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-97, the San Antonio Spurs overpowered the Trail Blazers 114-94 and the Detroit Pistons threw shade on the Phoenix Suns in their 133-125 victory.
Additional reporting by staff writer, with AP
