PORTLAND, Ore. — In a commanding display, Jayson Tatum nearly achieved a triple-double as the Boston Celtics secured their fifth consecutive victory by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 129-116 on Sunday. Tatum, a crucial presence for Boston, contributed 30 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds.
The Celtics’ Sam Hauser had an outstanding performance, shooting 8-for-10 from beyond the arc and amassing 24 points, while Derrick White also bolstered the team with 17 points and eight assists. Notably, Boston managed this strong performance without key players Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis. The Celtics improved their record to 52-19, trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers by five games for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, with 11 games left in the regular season.
Although Shaedon Sharpe led the Trail Blazers with 23 points, Portland encountered tough opposition and remains 2 1/2 games behind the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks for 10th place in the Western Conference standings.
A pivotal moment arrived early in the third quarter when Tatum executed a four-point play, extending Boston’s advantage to 75-57. Despite a spirited comeback by Portland, which narrowed the gap to seven points, the Celtics maintained their composure and secured victory.
Among the key takeaways is the performance of Pritchard, who previously scored a career-high 43 points against Portland earlier in the month. Recognized for his impressive season, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praised Pritchard, especially given his connection to the area.
Portland, on the other hand, faced challenges with the announcement that center Robert Williams III underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. This marks another setback in a series of lower-body injuries for the former Celtics player. Billups expressed empathy for Williams, acknowledging his efforts and influence within the team.
The game’s turning point came as the Celtics concluded the first half with a decisive 21-8 run, granting them a 13-point lead at halftime. A noteworthy statistic from the game was that eight out of the nine Celtics players who took to the court successfully made a three-point shot.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are slated to face the Sacramento Kings on Monday, while the Trail Blazers are set to welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.