Jayson Tatum scored 17 of 31 points in the third quarter on Monday, and the Boston Celtics cemented their place as the Eastern Conference leader with a victory over tenacious Toronto Raptors (116-110).
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Trailing 62-56 at halftime, Boston outscored the Raptors 35-18 in the third quarter to take a 9-point lead going into the fourth.
In addition to the 31 points and 12 rebounds captured by Tatum, Jaylen Brown, the other star of the Boston franchise, contributed 22 points in this seventh victory in eight games, despite the absence of Al Horford, injured, and of Malcolm Brogdon, ailing.
Marcus Smart, named defenseman of the year last season, added 18 points and Blake Griffin scored 13.
Pascal Siakam carried Toronto with 29 points, well supported by Scottie Barnes and his 21 points, but the Raptors lost at home for the third time this season.
“
Against a team that is playing very well at home
,” Tatum said the Celtics decided at halftime to “
find a solution
” just 24 hours after a victory in Brooklyn (103-92).
“
We were just playing too slowly.
We were too preoccupied with refereeing, and we just wanted to change that
,” the 24-year-old winger pointed out.
"
We came back to the court and started the third quarter with a different energy
," he said.
Tatum said it's the kind of win the Celtics need if they're going to get back to the NBA Finals and claim the title that eluded them against Golden State last season.
"
When you put your mind to it, you can beat anyone
," he said.
"
It's a choice we have to make
."
The Celtics have therefore improved their record, the best in the entire NBA, with 25 wins for five losses.
Antetokounmpo solid in Orlando
Leading the Eastern Conference, they played two games more than the Milwaukee Bucks, who beat the Orlando Magic (109-102) thanks to 34 points and 13 rebounds from double MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In Orlando, the Bucks took a 54-45 halftime lead and never trailed after the break, withstanding a late surge that saw the Magic cut the deficit to four points 2:20 minutes from the end.
A free throw and a layup from Antetokounmpo widened the gap, and the Bucks held on to win.
Milwaukee made 13 three-pointers on 40 attempts, and held up their offense with 31 assists.
Los Angeles Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George returned from injury and made an immediate impact in a 119-117 victory over the Hornets in Charlotte.
George, who missed seven straight games with a hamstring injury, carried the Clippers with 19 points and Leonard added 16, including the game-winning jump shot 1.4 seconds from time.
“
I felt good
,” said Leonard, two-time NBA champion (with Spurs and Toronto), who had missed the last six games with a sprained right ankle.
“
My teammates trusted me.
I was able to get the ball in my zone and I shot with confidence
, ”detailed the double NBA champion, on his award-winning shot.
The Warriors relapse
It was only the fourth game of the season that Leonard and George played together for the Clippers.
The Thunder rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat the Hawks (121-114) in Atlanta.
For Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and teammate Josh Giddey had 12 of 17 in the fourth quarter.
Defending champion in small form, Golden State suffered a relapse by losing at home to the Indiana Pacers (112-104).
Rookie Andrew Nembhard was decisive, with 31 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, a performance praised by his coach Rick Carlisle.
If Klay Thompson scored 28 points for the Warriors, Stephen Curry was very clumsy, with only 12 points and three shots on 17 successful.
Houston created the surprise by winning after two overtime against Philadelphia (132-123).
The Sixers hoped the return of James Harden, who was out for 14 games with a foot injury, would help them turn the tide after two away losses.
But the 33-year-old fullback looked rusty and managed just four of 19 shots to amass 21 points.
His partner Joel Embiid, on the other hand, was sparkling with a total of 39 points and seven rebounds before being ruled out in overtime.
Jalen Green scored 27 points and Kevin Porter Jr. added 24 for Houston, which nonetheless remains second-to-last in the Western Conference.
Monday's results:
Dallas - Phoenix 130 - 111
Atlanta - Oklahoma City 114 - 121
Toronto - Boston 110 - 116
Golden State - Indiana 104 - 112
Houston - Philadelphia 132 - 123 (ap)
Memphis - Miami 101 - 93
Charlotte - LA Clippers 117 - 119
Orlando - Milwaukee 102 - 109