Celtics outlast Clippers in double OT
Tatum scores 39 to help Boston head into All-Star Game break on a high, Pelicans fall to Thunder
>> LOS ANGELES: Jayson Tatum scored 39 points, two off his career high, and Marcus Smart added 31 on Thursday to lift the Boston Celtics over the Los Angeles Clippers 141-133 in double overtime.
Tatum hit 14-of-23 from the floor, 5-of-10 from three-point range, and grabbed nine rebounds in more than 47 minutes while playing tough defence against Kawhi Leonard to send the Celtics into the NBA All-Star Game break as winners.
“This was a tough one,” Tatum said. “It’s nice to go to the All-Star break with a win.”
Tatum’s hot night came after a 5-for-15 shooting effort and 0-for-7 three-point performance earlier in the week against Houston.
“Just a lot of hard work,” Tatum said of his sizzling shooting. “My teammates trust me and vice versa. We do a good job of getting the hot guy the ball whoever it is.”
Tatum struck for two late hoops in overtime, a layup over Leonard with 24.8 seconds remaining to put Boston ahead 127-124.
But Landry Shamet’s threepointer pulled the Clippers level and sent the game into a second extra period, which the Celtics dominated to claim the triumph.
Lou Williams came off the Clippers’ bench to score 35 points while Leonard had 28 points and 11 rebounds. Montrezl Harrell added 24 points and 13 rebounds.
In the only other game on the night, Italian forward Danilo Gallinari scored 29 points on 12-of18 shooting to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-118 victory at New Orleans.
German reserve Dennis Schroder added 22, New Zealand centre Steven Adams contributed 11 points — including his first NBA three-pointer — and 11 rebounds.
Chris Paul had 14 points and 12 assists for the Thunder.
Pelicans rookie star Zion Williamson scored a game-high 32 points in his 10th NBA contest while JJ Redick added 24 points off the bench for New Orleans.
GARNETT HONOURED
The Celtics announced on Thursday that Kevin Garnett, who helped Boston capture the 2008 NBA crown, will have his No.5 jersey retired next season, the 24th former player so honoured by the club.
“I’m honoured and thankful to have my number retired with the Celtics,” Garnett said.
Garnett played six seasons for the Celtics after arriving via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2007. He helped Boston to the NBA title in 2007-08 in his first season.
He was the 2008 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA AllStar in five of his six seasons with the Celtics.
In 396 games for Boston, Garnett averaged 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks a game.
INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS
Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks headlines the record-setting contingent of eight international players taking part in Sunday’s NBA AllStar Game in Chicago, the league announced on Thursday.
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player will be joined by Dallas point guard Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Philadelphia centre Joel Embiid (Cameroon) and Toronto power forward Pascal Siakam (Cameroon) as the record four international players who were voted to start the game.
Rounding out the international players who will compete in the exhibition are Rudy Gobert (France), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania) and Ben Simmons (Australia).
In total, the All-Star Weekend will feature a record 19 international players from 15 countries. AFP/ REUTERS