NBA roundup: Celtics beat Mavericks, Bulls claim another major victory
Boston, Massachusetts - Jayson Tatum shook off injury to get the better of Luka Doncic as the Boston Celtics blew out the Dallas Mavericks in a 125-112 NBA victory, having led by as many as 27 points on Wednesday.
Tatum, who had been listed as questionable with a sprained ankle, scored 37 points with 13 rebounds and five assists, while Jaylen Brown contributed 31 points on 13-of-18 field shooting.
Doncic scored a game-high 42 points with eight rebounds and nine assists but gave up five turnovers, and was blocked by Tatum in the fourth quarter.
Tatum and Doncic went head to head in the final quarter after the Mavs closed to 117-107. The Celtics forward first dunked, then made two free-throws after being fouled by the Slovenian, before blocking Doncic's driving lay-up.
Brown drained a three-point attempt after Marcus Smart's assist, and suddenly it was 124-107 and game over.
Smart had 13 points with nine assists, while center Al Horford hit four-of-four from three-point range in his 14 points.
The Celtics moved to an NBA-best 14-4 record with the victory, while the Mavs suffered their fifth loss in six road games to fall to 9-8.
Around the league
All-Star Andrew Wiggins enjoyed a season-high game with 31 points including six three-pointers as the Golden State Warriors won 124-107 over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Stephen Curry scored 22 points, making four-of-10 from beyond the arc, with six rebounds and nine assists as the Warriors improved to 9-10.
The result ended the three-game winning run of the Clippers, who were without All-Stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Marcus Morris Sr. top scored for the Clippers with 19 points.
The Chicago Bulls had another huge night only a few days after ending the Celtics' nine-game winning run, with a 118-113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
DeMar DeRozan starred for the Bulls with 36 points and eight assists, while Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
Chicago trailed 109-106 with 1:15 remaining before Coby White sunk two three-pointers to sink the Bucks, who gave up 19 turnovers for the game.
Cover photo: Collage: MICHAEL REAVES / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP, EZRA SHAW / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP & Winslow Townson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA