The NBA champion Boston Celtics and Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City continued their march to the playoffs on Saturday as the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back with a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jayson Tatum (pictured) scored 29 points with 10 rebounds and eight assists to propel the Celtics to their eighth straight victory, 121-111 over the Spurs in San Antonio.
Tatum, back after missing one game with a sprained left ankle, led seven Boston players to score in double figures, Jrue Holiday adding 21 points in the triumph.
The Thunder rolled to their ninth straight victory behind 33 points, seven rebounds and eight assists from Most Valuable Player contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points for the Pacers, who led by 10 in the first quarter before the Thunder flipped the switch and cruised to a 132-111 victory.
With eight games remaining Oklahoma City lead the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for the best record in the league and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Lakers, coming off an agonizing loss to the Bulls on Josh Giddey’s buzzer-beater, claimed a key 134-127 victory over the Grizzlies that put them one game ahead of Memphis for fourth place in the West.
The Lakers spoiled the debut of interim Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo, who took over on Friday when the Grizzlies abruptly sacked Taylor Jenkins.
Austin Reaves scored 31 points and handed out eight assists for Los Angeles, who let an early 20-point lead get away but managed to come back after the Grizzlies took a 111-107 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic scored 29 points with eight rebounds and nine assists — including a no-look pass to LeBron James for a dunk.
James finished with 25 points, six rebounds and eight assists and Lakers coach JJ Redick said he was pleased with the poise his players showed after falling behind in the fourth quarter.
Desmond Bane scored 29 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 and Ja Morant — back from a six-game injury absence — contributed 22 for Memphis, but the Grizzlies suffered their third loss to the Lakers this season.
