The NBA champion Boston Celtics dominated the Dallas Mavericks in a Finals rematch on Saturday because the Houston Rockets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers and Victor Wembanyama ended a “priceless” week in Paris with a loss .
Jayson Tatum scored 24 factors, Derrick White added 23 and Jaylen Brown added 22 for the Celtics, who rebounded from an embarrassing 21-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
All 5 starters scored in double figures for the Celtics, who trailed by 10 within the first quarter however inexorably imposed their will towards a Mavericks group nonetheless taking part in with out injured star Luka Doncic.
The Mavs have struggled since Doncic suffered a calf harm on Christmas Day and misplaced heart Derek Vigorous II to a damaged ankle this week.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavs with 22 factors, however sharpshooter Klay Thompson scored simply six factors on 4 makes an attempt from the ground.
Kristaps Porzings mentioned it was the form of efficiency the Celtics wanted as they attempt to discover consistency of their bid for a title repeat.
“We had been a lion final season and in some video games this yr we seemed like a home cat,” mentioned Porzingis, who scored 18 factors.
In Cleveland, the Rockets let a 19-point lead evaporate within the second half however held on to beat the Cavaliers 135-131.
Houston’s second win in 4 days towards the Jap Convention leaders left the Cavs behind Western Convention leaders Oklahoma Metropolis for the very best file within the league.
Alperen Sengun and Jalen Inexperienced scored 26 factors every and Amen Thompson had a triple-double of 23 factors, 14 rebounds and 10 assists for the Rockets, who took a 17-point lead within the fourth quarter just for the Cavaliers to tie it . There are 1h51 left to play.
A Sengun free throw restored the Rockets’ lead and Thompson threw down a rebound dunk from a Sengun miss. With lower than a minute to play, Houston discovered a option to maintain on.
Darius Garland scored 39 factors and Donovan Mitchell added 33 for Cleveland, however for the primary time this season, the Cavs misplaced a 3rd straight time and fell to 36-9.
– Lakers beat Warriors –
In San Francisco, Anthony Davis scored 36 factors and grabbed 13 rebounds and LeBron James added 15 factors and 12 assists to steer the Los Angeles Lakers to a 118-108 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 20 factors whereas Stephen Curry, like four-time NBA champion James, was held to 13 factors and remained scoreless on 0-of-8 taking pictures within the second half.
In Minnesota, Anthony Edwards scored 34 factors and dished out 9 assists to steer the Timberwolves to a 133-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets – the group Minnesota beat within the Western Convention semifinals final season.
Edwards made three three-pointers – together with one over the middle courtroom emblem – to lift his complete to 976 and surpass former teammate Karl-Anthony Cities for many in Timberwolves historical past.
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 25 factors. NBA Most Precious Participant Nikola Jokic added 20 and 11 assists, however with simply three rebounds, his streak of consecutive triple-doubles ended at 5.
Saturday’s packed slate started in Paris, the place Tyrese Haliburton’s scorching taking pictures lifted the Indiana Pacers to a 136-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and their French star Victor Wembanyama.
Within the Bercy Area the place he gained Olympic gold with the US final yr, Haliburton scored 16 factors within the third quarter to succeed in a complete of 28 factors.
Harrison Barnes led the Spurs with 25 factors and Wembanyama added 20, however San Antonio couldn’t verify its 140-110 victory over Indiana within the French capital on Thursday.
Nonetheless, Wembanyama’s return to Paris confirmed his star standing on the age of 21 by taking part in a Champions League soccer match and an LVMH vogue present, and opening basketball courts for delighted schoolchildren.
“I attempted my greatest to make this week particular for my group, for my household, my pals, however individuals nonetheless discovered a option to shock me, to make it appear to be issues mattered to them and that I mattered to them,” Wembanyama mentioned. “It’s priceless.”
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