Tatum hits 60 as Celtics nip Spurs
BOSTON — Jaylen Brown hit a 3-pointer with 16.7 seconds remaining in overtime, Jayson Tatum scored a career-high 60 points and the Boston Celtics rallied from a 32point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 143-140 on Friday night.
Tatum, whose previous career best was 53 points scored against Minnesota on April 9, scored 21 in the fourth quarter, then added 10 in the overtime to cap the improbable comeback with a pair of free throws that sealed it with four seconds remaining.
Brown finished with 17 points and Marcus Smart had 10 points and 12 assists for Boston.
DeMar DeRozan had 30 points and 14 assists for the Spurs.
SUNS 121, JAZZ 100
Devin Booker scored 31 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and Phoenix pulled into a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference by beating Utah at home.
The Suns and Jazz both have a 45-18 record. If they’re tied at the end of the season, Phoenix would claim the No. 1 seed in the playoffs because they swept the three-game season series.
The Jazz were led by Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 22 points. Utah has lost three of its last four games.
WIZARDS 122 CAVALIERS 93
Russell Westbrook posted his 31st triple-double of the season with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, and Washington continued its postseason push with a rout at Cleveland.
It was Westbrook’s 177th career triple-double, moving him within four of Oscar Robertson’s NBA record.
BUCKS 108, BULLS 98
Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez scored 22 points apiece and Bobby Portis contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds as Milwaukee won at Chicago.
Coby White led the Bulls with 21 points while Nikola Vucevic chipped in 17 points and 15 rebounds.
76ERS 126, HAWKS 104
Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris each scored 18 points to lead host Philadelphia over Atlanta.
Dwight Howard had a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers. Philadelphia is a half game behind Brooklyn for the top seed in the East.
TRAIL BLAZERS 128 NETS 109
Damian Lillard had 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Portland won at New York to remain unbeaten halfway through an important road trip.
Jusuf Nurkic added 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who are 3-0 on their trip as they try to fight their way out of seventh place in the Western Conference.
Kyrie Irving had 28 points for the Nets.
KINGS 108, LAKERS 106
Tyrese Halliburton had 21 points and 10 assists and Richaun Holmes scored 22 points as Sacramento spoiled LeBron James’ return with a victory at Los Angeles.
The four-time MVP, who had missed 20 games due to a high right ankle sprain, finished with 16 points.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers, who have dropped five of their last six, with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
GRIZZLIES 92, MAGIC 75
Dillon Brooks scored 20 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Memphis won at home.
Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba led the short-handed Magic with 15 points each.