Celtics Beat Knicks 116-102 For Eighth Straight Win

(CTN News) – 116-102 was Boston Celtics’ eighth straight win as Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 22 points.

In addition to Brown’s 13-for-24 shooting, he had eight rebounds for the Celtics, who improved to 45-12 and hold an eight-game lead over Cleveland. Less than two months before the postseason begins, the All-Star forward downplayed the team’s big lead.

There’s no point in worrying about that stuff in the playoffs. Hard work and matchups will be key. It’s no secret that home court advantage matters. That’s where the key is. To get in, you have to win basketball games.”

Derrick White has 13 points, six assists, and six rebounds in Boston’s last 11 games. Coach Joe Mazzula gushed about Tatum’s performance, who has six rebounds and five assists in seven of his last nine games.

Jayson put on a great performance today,” Mazzula said. Pick-and-roll pace, pick-and-roll passing, and defense aren’t the most valuable things about his game. I loved seeing him take on (Jalen) Brunson, welcome 2-on-1s, and create opportunities for others. I congratulate him for knowing that’s what we need to do to win.”

For the Knicks, who lost their four-game Celtics season series to Boston, Brunson scored 34 points on 12-for-25 shooting and 4-for-9 from 3-point range.

Tatum and Brown, along with Porzingis, outscored the Knicks 30-11 to win the game despite being up 4 at halftime. Porzingis hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 73-66 after Isaiah Hartenstein hit a pair of free throws. In the third quarter, the Knicks called a timeout.

Following a New York turnover, Brunson hit all three free throws on the next possession, making it 76-69. The Knicks led 88-71 with 3:53 left in the third after Porzingis started a 10-0 run. With 1:30 left, Boston went on a 9-0 run capped by Tatum’s 3-pointer. “, the visiting fans chanted before the Knicks booed.

During the lineup introduction, Porzingis’ name was jeered by Knicks fans the night he was selected in the NBA Draft. “I prefer any kind of emotion over none,” he said. I want cheers and boos, he said. It was no different tonight. The game was (national) TV, and we handled it.”

With 9:17 left in the third quarter, the Knicks responded with a 13-2 run, cutting their deficit to 99-90 on Bojan Bogdanovic’s jumper.

Despite three turnovers and six missed shots from the Knicks, the Celtics went on a 10-0 run with 4:43 left to extend their lead to 109-90.

At the end of the first quarter, Brown had 10 points to lead the Celtics 30-36. By halftime, Boston led 62-58 with 10 more from him. In the first half, the Celtics shot 66.7% from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the 3-point line.

SEE ALSO:

Bucks Beat Timberwolves 112-107 Thanks To Antetokounmpo’s 33 Points