UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Celtics look nothing like the team that was at .500 on Jan. 28.
Jayson Tatum scored 11 of his 26 points, a nearly perfect first quarter that highlighted the Celtics’ 125-97 rout of the Jazz. Boston hit its first 10 shots of the game, including six 3-pointers, on the way to jumping out to a 28-12 lead. Jaylen Brown also added 26 points and Marcus Smart finished with a career-high 13 assists as the Celts continued their purge toward homecourt advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The Celtics have won five straight, 10 of their last 11 and 21 of 24.
Checking out Wednesday’s other NBA action:
— Deandre Ayton poured in a career-high 35 points and had 14 rebounds, leading the Suns to a 125-116 win over the Timberwolves. Devin Booker and Landry Shamet came up big in the second half as Phoenix reduced its magic number to one for wrapping up homecourt advantage in the playoffs. Booker scored 22 of his 28 points after halftime, and Shamet delivered 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter.
— Joel Embiid and James Harden carried the 76ers past the Lakers, 126-121. Embiid had 30 points and 20 rebounds, James Harden added 24 points in Philadelphia’s fifth win in seven games. Tyrese Maxey added 21 points against the Lakers, who played without LeBron James because of knee soreness.
— Desmond Bane scored nine straight points to allow the Grizzlies to pull away in the fourth quarter of a win over the Nets, 132-120. De’Anthony Melton matched Bane’s 23 points, while Dillon Brooks finished with 21 as Memphis played without leading scorer Ja Morant. Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 43 points, while Kevin Durant finished with 35.
— Jordan Poole scored 30 points and the Warriors opened the second half on a 19-0 run to beat the Heat, 118-104. Damion Lee, Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins each scored 22 points for the Warriors, who got 11 points from Gary Payton II and 16 rebounds from Kevon Looney. Kyle Lowry scored 26 points, Bam Adebayo had 25, Jimmy Butler finished with 20.
— The Mavericks rolled to a 110-91 win over the Rockets as Jalen Brunson furnished 28 points and Spencer Dinwiddie added 26. Dinwiddie had 19 points by early in the second quarter, and Brunson scored 16 in the third as the Mavericks quickly went in front for good after trailing 53-52 at halftime. Dallas won without Luka Doncic, who rested his sore right ankle.
— Charlotte’s five-game winning streak is over after RJ Barrett scored 30 points and the Knicks made 20 3-pointers in a 121-106 victory over the Hornets. Obi Toppin had 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Alec Bunks chipped in with 17 points for the Knicks. LaMelo Ball had 32 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
— The Pistons had eight players score at least 10 points in their most lopsided win of the season, 122-101 against the Hawks. Jeremi Grant provided 21 points and Cade Cunningham added 17 with eight assists in Detroit’s second win in eight games. The Pistons opened the second half on a 16-4 run to go ahead by 20.
— Dejounte Murray had 28 points before sitting for the final quarter of the Spurs’ 133-96 thrashing of the Trail Blazers. Keldon Johnson added 26 points for the Spurs, who are still in the mix for a play-in game in the Western Conference with three wins in their last five games. San Antonio finished with 19 3-pointers, matching their season high and just one shy of the franchise record.
— Theo Maledon scored 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter of the Thunder’s 118-102 win versus the Magic. Tre Mann and Isaiah Roby each scored 21 points to help Oklahoma City end a 10-game losing streak. OKC took control by opening the second quarter on a 20-2 spurt.
— The Kings pulled out a 110-109 win over the Pacers on Damian Jones’ tip-in with 0.2 seconds remaining. Davion Mitchell scored 25 points and Chimezie Metu had a career-high 22 as the Kings snapped a three-game losing streak. Buddy Hield led the Pacers with 25 points.
Nuggets agree to multiyear contract extension with Malone
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets have agreed to a multiyear contract extension with coach Michael Malone.
He ranks third in team history with 309 coaching wins and is fourth in playoff victories over seven years in Denver.
Denver is closing in on its fourth straight postseason appearance despite the absence of point guard Jamal Murray and sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr.
