Jayson Tatum scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out nine assists in the Celtics’ 110-106 victory over the Heat on Sunday.
Jayson Tatum was supported by Kristaps Porzingis, who contributed 25 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown also chipped in with 20 points and nine rebounds. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 24 points, while Bam Adebayo added 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. The game was marked by several injuries, including Terry Rozier’s right knee injury after being fouled by Al Horford, which forced him to leave the game.
Josh Richardson also suffered a left-shoulder injury in the first half. Porzingis briefly left the court in the third quarter due to a back injury but later returned. Jimmy Butler, the Heat’s leading scorer, was absent from the game due to a family bereavement, with no further details released about his absence.
Boston continued their dominance over the Heat, securing their third victory of the season against Miami with a 143-110 win on Jan. 25. The game was closely contested throughout, with Porzingis making an early impact by scoring 11 points in the first quarter. The Celtics held a 26-22 lead at the end of the first quarter, capitalizing on second-chance points and outscoring Miami in the paint. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 10 points in the second quarter, helping them maintain a 59-50 lead at halftime.
Boston’s strong shooting performance in the second quarter, with a 61.1 percent field goal percentage, kept them ahead despite Miami’s efforts to stay in the game. Miami made a comeback in the third quarter, but Boston finished the period with an 86-79 lead. The fourth quarter saw some intense moments, including a flagrant foul called on Brown and a late 3-pointer from Herro that narrowed Miami’s deficit. However, Boston ultimately held on for the win, shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and 16-for-39 on 3-pointers, while Miami shot 41.2 percent, including 12-for-40 from beyond the arc.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 127-113 victory over the Sacramento Kings with 38 and 32 points, respectively. The win ended the Thunder’s two-game losing streak and kept them as one of the three NBA teams without a three-game losing streak this season. Luguentz Dort contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while Chet Holmgren scored 14 points and made four blocks.
Malik Monk scored 26 points off the bench for the Kings, who have lost three of their last four games. Domantas Sabonis of the Kings achieved his 17th triple-double in the NBA, with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. Sabonis has recorded back-to-back triple-doubles and four in his last five games.
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