Jayson Tatum’s 43-point triple-double propels Boston Celtics over the Chicago Bulls

LOS ANGELES – Jayson Tatum said it was “special” to match Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird after he exploded for 43 points in his first triple-double of the season on Dec 21.

The five-time All-Star’s exploits helped the National Basketball Association (NBA) champions beat the Chicago Bulls 123-98 to avenge a defeat just days earlier.

Tatum added 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a dominant performance in Chicago, connecting on 16 of his 24 shot attempts and nine of 15 from three-point range.

He joined Hall of Famer and three-time NBA champion Bird as the only Celtics player to record a 40-point triple-double.

Tatum, 26, said: “Larry Bird is probably the best player to ever wear this uniform. So any time you accomplish something in the same sentence as him, it’s something special, even if you never reach that pinnacle.”

He also joined current Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden as the only players to record at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and nine three-pointers in a game.

“It’s all about finding your moments to accommodate the game,” Tatum said, adding that coach Joe Mazzulla “tries to get me to dominate and amplify my teammates and make guys better”.

Mazzulla added: “He went outside what we normally do and that’s a testament to him. Just his shotmaking, his decision-making, his ability to rebound. I thought he kind of controlled the entire game.”

Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points and Jaylen Brown chipped in 19 for the Celtics, who were stunned 117-108 on their home floor by the Bulls on Dec 19.

Nikola Vucevic scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Bulls, while Zach LaVine, who scored 36 on Dec 19, was held to 14 points.

Mazzulla was fined US$35,000 (S$47,400) for “aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language towards a game official” at the end of that game.

The Celtics improved to 22-6 to stay within sight of the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, who pushed their league-best record to 25-4 with a 126-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Darius Garland scored 26 points to lead six Cavs players in double figures.

Tyrese Maxey poured in 27 points to lead the Sixers, whose star centre Joel Embiid sat out.

The Los Angeles Lakers, fuelled by 32 points from LeBron James, beat Sacramento 103-99 – their second victory in three days at the Kings’ Golden 1 Centre.

“These two wins have been about us doing the little things, because we have not been able to shoot the ball into the ocean,” James said, after the Lakers connected on 48.2 per cent of their shots overall – and just nine of 35 from three-point range.

“But we’ve been able to win these two games in this hostile environment because we’ve done a lot of the little things, and defensively we’ve been on point.”

In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out with back spasms and Damian Lillard was sidelined by a calf strain.

But Bobby Portis Jr stepped up to score 34 points and lead the Bucks to a 112-101 victory over the Washington Wizards.

The Golden State Warriors bounced back from a stunning 51-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec 19 with a 113-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.

Warriors star Stephen Curry, who had missed all seven of his shots in the previous game, made seven three-pointers en route to 31 points and also handed out 10 assists.

In Texas, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points and equalled his career high with 10 blocked shots as the Spurs cruised past the Portland Trail Blazers 114-94.

Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson delivered 39 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 104-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

But Kevin Durant’s 43 points were not enough for the Phoenix Suns, who fell 133-125 to the visiting Detroit Pistons.

Cade Cunningham scored 28 points and dished out 13 assists for the Pistons, who had seven players score in double figures. AFP