ANGELES When the NBA returned on February 22nd after the All-Star break, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks continued where they left off, each winning seven games in a row.
In a 123-113 home win over the Phoenix Suns, Kyrie Irving contributed 29 points and Luka Doncic scored 41 points along with nine rebounds and 11 assists for the Mavericks.
The Celtics defeated the Bulls 129–112 in Chicago thanks to strong play in the third quarter, which saw Derrick White score 28 points and Jayson Tatum score 25.
When league-leading Boston (44-12) jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first quarter, it appeared to be business as usual. However, the Bulls defeated them 38-28 in the second quarter and had a three-point advantage at the half until the Celtics turned things around.
The Celtics connected on 23 three-pointers, with Tatum and White scoring five apiece.
According to White, the break was enjoyable.
We were all probably simply itching to get back to work. Just a great chance for us to close out the game with our finest basketball. It was a lovely respite. All we had to do was take stock of our situation and strive to improve every day.
Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic led the team with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but when Boston tightened up defensively in the second half, the Bulls were unable to respond.
The Mavericks in Dallas were likewise behind by three points at the break. However, they grabbed a double-digit lead in the third quarter by starting on a 16-0 run, and they never looked back.
Doncic said to TNT, “It’s always tough to come back from All-Star; the first game’s always tough.” “We played against a fantastic team, but we were outstanding.”
Phoenix was led by Devin Booker’s 35 points, to which Kevin Durant contributed 23 more.
With the victory, the Mavs tied Phoenix’s record of 33-23 and won the game-winning tip against the Suns.
After the Mavs moved up into play-off position at sixth in the West, Doncic said, “I think it was a very big game,” but he also said, “We’ve got to get ready for the next game and just keep going like that.”
In a 130-110 victory over the Washington Wizards in Denver, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic made NBA history by becoming just the third player to post at least one triple-double against every team he has faced.
Jokic finished with a perfect 10-for-10 shooting performance, 19 rebounds, and 15 assists. AFP
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