Tatum ejected but Celtics roll Rockets
Thunder knock off Magic, surge into first place in Western Conference
BOSTON — Jayson Tatum had 27 points and eight rebounds before being ejected on back-to-back technical fouls and the Boston Celtics remained unbeaten at home with a 145-113 victory over former coach Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and the Celtics improved to 19-0 in the TD Garden – the first time in the history of the much-decorated franchise that it has opened a season with more than 17 wins in a row.
Cam Whitmore scored 22 points and Alperen Sengun had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Houston. The Rockets have lost three of their last four to drop their record to 19-19. They won just 22 games all last season.
Tatum was tossed for the second time in six weeks, picking up his first technical for complaining about a non-call with 10:17 left in the fourth quarter and Boston leading 117-90. He continued to complain while Aaron Holiday took the foul shot and picked up a second T, then walked over to referee CJ Washington and leaned in to shout something before walking off the court.
“I’m a pretty self-aware person. I understand the time and score of the game,” Tatum said. “The game was pretty much over. I’ve got to stand up for myself.”
“In the NBA you have that space of having to defend yourself, and for me having to defend my guys,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla added. “There’s a time and a place for everything, and you’ve just got to pick and choose your spots.
THUNDER 112, MAGIC 100: In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points and Oklahoma City beat short-handed Orlando to tie Minnesota for the Western Conference lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander had his high points total without making a 3-pointer. He missed all four of his 3-point tries, but was 13 of 16 inside the arc and made 11 of 12 free throws.
Jalen Williams scored 16 points and Chet Holmgren added 15 to help the Thunder improve to 27-11. Paolo Banchero had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Magic. They have lost three straight.
BUCKS 129, WARRIORS 118: In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and Milwaukee Used a big fourth quarter to pull away against short-handed Golden State.
The Warriors rested Stephen Curry in the second night of a road backto-back and are still without Draymond Green. Coach Steve Kerr said he could return from his suspension Monday in Memphis or Wednesday at Utah.
Damian Lillard added 27 points for the Bucks. Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 28.
KNICKS 106, GRIZZLIES 94: In Memphis, Tenn., Julius Randle had 24 points and 11 rebounds, OG Anunoby scored 18 points and New York beat makeshift Memphi.
Miles McBride, starting in place of the injured Jalen Brunson, added a career-high 19 points, along with six assists for the Knicks. They have won six of seven.
GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 20 points and six rebounds. Over the last week, leading scorer Ja Morant had season-ending shoulder surgery, and Marcus Smart’s injury to his right ring finger will keep him out at least six weeks. Then, Friday night in a loss to the Clippers, Desmond Bane, the team’s second-leading scorer, sprained an ankle and was on crutches Saturday.
WIZARDS 127, HAWKS 99: In Atlanta, Kyle Kuzma scored 29 points and Washington took advantage of Atlanta’s worst offensive night this season to rout the Hawks.
Jordan Poole added 20 points to help the Wizards snap a six-game losing streak and improve to 4-18 on the road. It was their largest victory of the season.
Atlanta shot a season-low 34%. Trae Young had 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting.
BULLS 122, SPURS 116: In San Antonio, Nikola Vucevic had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Chicago overcame a career-high 30 points from Tre Jones to past San Antonio with Spurs rookie star Victor Wembanyama sitting out.
Wembanyama did not play the second game of a back-to-back. The Spurs continue to proceed cautiously with the No. 1 pick following a sprained ankle last month.
Keldon Johnson had 26 points for San Antonio.
PELICANS 118, MAVERICKS 108: In Dallas, Rookie Jordan Hawkins scored a season-high 34 points and New Orleans beat Dallas in a game in which most of both teams’ regular starters weren’t in uniform.
Herb Jones scored 15 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and a 12 rebounds for the Pelicans, who split a back-to-back after losing at Denver on Friday night.