The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak in the NBA to nine games after defeating the Chicago Bulls 124-113 on Saturday, while the Houston Rockets secured their eighth consecutive victory with a 147-119 win over Utah.
Sam Hauser showcased his sharpshooting skills by sinking seven of the Celtics’ 21 three-pointers, tallying 23 points with just one miss from beyond the arc. Alongside him, Al Horford also contributed 23 points, while Jayson Tatum, returning from a brief absence, led the team with 26 points.
Despite Tatum’s return, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis rested due to lingering injuries, yet the Celtics maintained their momentum seamlessly.
Horford’s five three-pointers fueled the Celtics’ dominance as they steadily pulled away, securing a 10-point lead late in the game, ultimately clinching victory. Despite DeMar DeRozan’s impressive 28-point performance, the Bulls suffered their second consecutive defeat.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team’s performance, emphasizing their prowess in rebounding and defensive discipline, key factors in their recipe for success. With this win, the Celtics are just two victories away from matching their season-best 11-game winning streak. With a league-best record of 57-14, they comfortably lead the Eastern Conference by 11.5 games over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets are making a late push for playoff contention. Currently ranked 11th in the West, they sit just outside the play-in tournament, trailing the 10th-placed Golden State Warriors by 1.5 games.
Their recent eight-game winning streak, the longest since 2019, has injected hope into their postseason aspirations. Jalen Green’s stellar 41-point performance, coupled with Fred VanVleet’s 34-point contribution, propelled the Rockets to a dominant victory. VanVleet’s remarkable 10 three-pointers tied the Rockets’ franchise record, highlighting their sharpshooting prowess.
The game took a heated turn when Jabari Smith Jr. and Utah’s Kris Dunn were ejected following a physical altercation, believed to be a carryover from a previous clash between the two players in January, as noted by Houston coach Ime Udoka.
Despite their recent success, Green emphasized that playoff qualification is the ultimate goal for the Rockets, underscoring the importance of maintaining their momentum.
Suns dominate Spurs
In another matchup, Devin Booker led the Phoenix Suns with 32 points in a commanding 131-106 win over the Spurs in San Antonio. Adding to the Suns’ success, Kevin Durant contributed 25 points, while Bradley Beal notched 13 points and 12 assists. Currently, the Suns are narrowly leading the race for the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the West, with just a half-game advantage over the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks.
The Kings secured a narrow 109-107 victory over the Magic in Orlando, propelled by De’Aaron Fox’s 31 points, including crucial free throws that gave Sacramento a one-point lead in the closing seconds. Domantas Sabonis also made significant contributions with 21 points and 14 rebounds, extending his double-double streak to 53 games, matching Kevin Love’s record since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.
In a New York showdown, Donte DiVincenzo’s 31 points propelled the Knicks to a 105-93 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets. Miles McBride chipped in 26 points for the Knicks, who dominated the fourth quarter to hand the Nets their sixth consecutive defeat.