Celtics vs. Suns 132-102 , Porzingis leads rout without Tatum

The recent matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns showcased the resilience of the Celtics, who triumphed with a decisive score of 132-102 despite being without their star player, Jayson Tatum. Kristaps Porzingis emerged as a pivotal figure in this game, scoring an impressive 30 points while shooting 66.7% from the field . This victory not only marked the Celtics' seventh consecutive win but also highlighted their ability to perform cohesively in Tatum's absence.

The Suns had a four-game winning streak snapped. Phoenix still has possession of the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament with nine regular-season games remaining.

Boston took control late in the second quarter, using a 27-6 run to take a 73-54 lead into halftime. The Celtics — playing without injured star Jayson Tatum — hit 10 3-pointers in the first quarter.

Porzingis shot 10 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Al Horford, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White all added 16 points.

Keeping Phoenix in it was Kevin Durant, who led all scorers after one with 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting. No other Sun recorded more than five points (Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie).

Boston then turned it up multiple notches in the second, leading by as much as 25 points with the 3-point disparity continuing to show. The Celtics increased its made triples to 14, while the Suns went a cold 0-for-9 from beyond the arc in the period. Four Boston starters eclipsed double-digit points, led by Porzingis' 17. Durant pushed his point total to 20, but no other Sun had more than nine (Booker) as Boston led 73-54.

A few notches later in the third, Boston bumped its largest lead to 34 as its stellar shooting continued. Porzingis moved to 30 points while Jaylen Brown followed with 24. Durant still carried Phoenix with 30, but Booker's 13 remained the second most as the side's 3-point woes persisted.

Boston cross paths with the San Antonio Spurs (31-40) next, while Phoenix aims to bounce back in battling the Minnesota Timberwolves (41-32) on the road.  

The Celtics demonstrated exceptional offensive prowess, particularly in the first half where they executed ten three-pointers in just the first quarter . The second quarter was especially dominant for Boston as they outscored Phoenix by a staggering margin during a crucial 27-6 run. Such performances underscore both their strategic execution and depth of talent within their roster, with Jaylen Brown contributing significantly with 24 points and Al Horford adding a well-rounded performance .

In contrast, while Kevin Durant led the Suns with an equal tally of 30 points, his efforts were insufficient to counteract Boston’s relentless offensive onslaught. The Suns struggled defensively against a Celtics team that capitalized on every opportunity to extend their lead . This game serves as a testament to Boston's championship aspirations and adaptability under pressure—qualities that will be essential as they progress through the season.

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Sarah H

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