The Boston Celtics, without their star Jayson Tatum, maintained their eight-game home hitting streak thanks to a star Jaylen Brown. On a night where the Celtics lacked their leading scorer, Brown showed the growth in him, leading the Celtics with a season-high 36 points to help Boston beat the Washington Wizards 130-121 on Sunday.
Tatum missed his first game this season with a sprained ankle, but played in Wednesday’s 125-112 win over the Dallas Mavericks and Friday’s 122-104 win over the Sacramento Kings. He was Boston’s leading scorer and rebounder in every game. Tatum is averaging 36.9 minutes, 30.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season.
Despite not having one, Boston made 11 3-pointers in the first half on 56.5% shooting. In addition to Brown’s big contribution, Malcolm Brogdon added 17 points and Derrick White finished with 15 for the Celtics, who have won 12 of their last 13 games. Eight Boston players have scored in double figures: Jaylen Brown (36 points), Malcolm Brogdon (17), Derrick White (15), Al Horford (14), Marcus Smart (14), Sam Hauser (14) and Luke Kornet (12).
In Washington, Bradley Beal had 30 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, but that wasn’t enough to prevent the team’s third straight loss this season. He never had a chance to win the match. Boston already led by 17 points at halftime and extended its lead to 26 in the third quarter. The Wizards cut it to 119-107 in the fourth quarter, prompting Boston interim head coach Joe Mazzulla to reinstate his starting lineup to close out the game.
The Greek Giannis Antetkounmpo won this Sunday the particular duel with the Slovenian Luka Doncic in 124-115 with which the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Dallas Mavericks, in an NBA day in which the Croatian Ivica Zubac signed a powerful 31-point double-double and 29 rebounds in the Los Angeles Clippers’ win.
BUCK 124 – MAVERICK 115
With a double-double of 30 points and eleven rebounds, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks victory against the Mavericks, in which Doncic sealed a double-double of 27 points and twelve assists, with five rebounds, unable to avoid the loss. Grayson Allen for the Bucks also stood out, with seven 3-pointers and 25 points, while Argentina’s Facundo Campazzo, for the Mavericks, hit three-pointers in 3.26 minutes on the track.
CLIPPERS 114 – STIMULATORS 100
Ivica Zubac dominated with a stunning double-double for 31 points and 29 rebounds in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 114-100 win over the Indiana Pacers. Zubac was the star of the Clippers’ win and finished the game with 31 points, 29 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 35.40 minutes played. The Croatian center became the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 able to contribute at least 30 points and 25 rebounds with 80 percent shooting accuracy.
